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KISTG -
r >F THE
AY
RSHIRE YEOMj
CAVALRY
Un t RI
i
llllllllllll
600OS2288V
A HISTORY
OF THE
AYRSHIRE YEOMANRY CAVALRY.
Edinburgh : Printed by Thomas and Archibald Constable,
FOR
DAVID DOUGLAS
LONDON . . HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO.
CAMBRIDGE MACMILLAN AND CO.
GLASGOW JAMES MACLEHOSE.
JEUTEN ANT-COLONEL
asi.
&
i
A HISTORY
OF THE
AYRSHIRE YEOMANRY CAVALRY
BY
W. S. COOPER
M.A., L.L.M., F.S.A. Scot.
CAPTAIN, AYRSHIRE YEOMANRY CAVALRY
f. OCT >F8I •
EDINBURGH: DAVID DOUGLAS
1881.
SSI .
a.
/W.
PREFACE.
These notes have been put together in compliance
with a natural desire on the part of many Ayrshire
Yeomen to know something of the previous history of
the regiment in which their fothers have served, and
in whiTtheir sons will in due course succeed them.
It is to be regretted that the early history of the
Carrick Troop, during the closing years of last century,
is so meagre : such particulars as are given were ob-
tained by the late Captain Hunter of Hunterston, in
1856, from Quartermaster Henderson, who joined the
troop in the year 1802.
Among the many friends to whom thanks are due
for information and assistance given, the first place
must be assigned to the late Captain Hunter, without
whose invaluable orderly-book this history would have
been very much less consecutive than it is. Thanks
are also due to Mrs. Hunter for the great interest she
has taken in this work ; to Major John Lorn Stewart
of Coll, late Adjutant, who suggested the idea of giving
vi Preface.
permanency to these records, and who formed a valu-
able nucleus of notes ; to Mr. D. Murray Lyon, author
of Ayr in the Olden Time ; and to many old yeomen
(among whom may be particularised Mr. D. Cuning-
ham, Chapelton), who have ransacked the stores of
their memories with results which are full of local
interest.
The work which has been given the Ayrshire Yeo-
manry to do in the past has always been performed
in such a manner as to obtain the approbation of those
*
competent to judge. It is true that the days of rioting
and disaffection have passed away — haply never to
return — but there is still work, and more congenial
work, for Yeomen to accomplish, in quietly but
earnestly preparing themselves so that they may be
able to render efficient service to their country in her
hour of need, should that hour ever come.
Under their experienced and justly popular com-
mander, esprit de corps has never been stronger than
it is at present ; and that this spirit may survive and
flourish, not only in this particular regiment, but in
every branch of the Reserve Forces, must be the heart-
felt desire of all who wish well to their native land.
W. S. C.
Failford, May 1881.
CONTENTS.
Preface, ....
Chapter L 1793-1819,
# IL The Radical Years, 1819-1820,
III. Sir Alexander Boswell, Bart.,
IV. 1820-1828,
V. 1828-1838,
VL 1838-1855,
VII. 1856-1880,
VIII. Carbine and Rifle Practice,
PAOE
V
1
13
25
31
39
49
59
67
APPENDIX.
Muster Roll, 1803, .
Officer's Outfit, 1804, .
Monthly Return, October 1806,
Court-Martial, 1819, .
North Ayrshire Yeomen in 1831,
2d Troop Roll, 1836, .
Officers' Challenge Cup (Racing),
Officers' Challenge Cup (Shooting),
74
76
77
78
79
81
82
83
Vlll
Contents.
PAGE
Statement showing the Average Figure of Merit at Carbine Practice, 83
Best Shot since 1875, ...... 84
" Loyd-Lindsay " Competition, ..... 84
Best Swordsman since 1878, ...... 84
Succession List of Officers, Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry, . 85
Succession List of Officers, 2d Ayrshire Yeomanry, . .92
Nominal Roll of the Regiment, 1st July 1880, .94
Index, ........ 105
CHAPTER L
1793—1819.
" Mb. Buller. — By what other means can the martial spirit of a people
be so invigorated, without, at the same time, being brutalised by any of
that ferocity which almost always belongs perhaps to your regular troopers
whose duty and delight is in foreign service ? "
" Shepherd. — Then, sir, think what an effek it had upon the women folk?
The wife lookin' on ' our John/ wi' his formidable fur cap, and braw regi-
mentals on, and wi' swurd by his side, and nae thing wantin' but mustashies
to mak him an even-doon reg'lar dragon, wou'd as sune hae taen their ain
bill by the horns as hae dreamed o' hen-peckin' sic a fire-eater : — the lasses,
whan they saw their sweethearts chargin' on the Hair-laugh Moss, as the
leevin whirlwund passed by, felt, ilka ane o' them, that the nicht afore,
perhaps, her mou had been preed by a hero, wha, if the beaoons bleezed,
wou'd return to her arms, after havin' driven the French, wi' Bonaparte
at their head, intil the sea." — Nodes Ambrosiance.
When the French Convention declared war against Great
Britain in 1793, the nation was quite ready to join issue with
them. The horrid massacres of the Eevolution, culminating
in the brutal murders of an amiable king and his gentle con-
sort, had appalled the civilised world ; and the handsome offer
of the French Minister of Marine, to send over fifty thousand
" caps of liberty " to secure for us the same desirable state of
matters which obtained with them, had the effect of rousing
Parliament and people to take the most active measures for
resisting those who, under the sacred name of Liberty, were
really urging a crusade against law, order, and religion.
Through a short-sighted policy, our army and navy had been
A
2 History of the
greatly reduced at the close of the American War, and the war
establishment of Britain in 1792 was unprecedentedly low.
This circumstance, besides its undoubted influence upon the
conduct and prolongation of the war, also made it necessary
that steps should be taken towards the formation of an efficient
reserve for protection against invasion. Accordingly, to this
end, the English Militia was embodied ; regiments of Fencibles
were everywhere raised; and a new force — the Yeomanry
Cavalry — was called into existence. In these patriotic and
defensive measures the county of Ayr was not behindhand : a
regiment of volunteer infantry, called the West Lowland
Fencibles, was enrolled, under the command of Colonel
Montgomerie of Coilsfield, in 1793; and in the same year, a
troop of Yeomanry — the nucleus of the present gallant and
popular regiment — was raised in the district of Carrick, by
Archibald, Lord Kennedy, afterwards Earl of Cassillis. A
regiment of horse — the Ayrshire Fencible Cavalry — was also
raised by Colonel Andrew Dunlop.
To return to the yeomen : the troop numbered thirty men,
and was composed of substantial Carrick farmers, all well
mounted. A few men from the neighbourhood of Dalrymple
were taken in, but the troop was distinctly a Carrick one.
They were dressed in scarlet jackets cut very short, with one
row of white buttons in front, and buckskin breeches and jack-
boots ; the head-dress was a helmet with fur and white feathers,
and for drill order, instead of buckskins, grey overalls were
worn.
No assembly for permanent duty took place till the begin-
ning of the present century, Lord Cassillis drilling them himself
privately, as he expressed it, "like the very mischief." His
Lordship, however, appears to have grown tired of drilling so
energetically, for, in 1801, he wished the troop to disband
themselves ; but the troop thought otherwise, and declined to
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 3
be blotted out. Under these circumstances, Lord Cassillis
endeavoured, but without success, to induce Lord Montgomerie
to take the command ; and, ultimately, the troop fell to Bichard
Alexander Oswald of Auchincruive.
In April 1802, after the definitive treaty of peace, his
Majesty signified his desire to avail himself of such of the
yeomanry and volunteer cavalry as chose to continue their
services. Accordingly, in September following, Captain-Com-
mandant Oswald re-enrolled the members of the troop, the
strength being now increased from thirty to forty-eight, and a
greater number of parishes being represented. The uniform
was rather different from that of the old corps : the scarlet
jacket was replaced by a blue sort of coatee, with three rows
of buttons in front, the facings being yellow and the lace white;
the boots and breeches, however, were still retained, and the
men rode in plain, common saddles, with the cloak folded flat
and strapped over the valise. During 1802 the first assembly
for permanent duty took place at Ayr, on which occasion each
man received three shillings and fourpence a day of pay.
Various privileges were also accorded to the yeomanry and
volunteer cavalry who continued their services: they were
exempted from the horse tax, from tolls when going to and
returning from exercise, from the militia service, and from the
hair-powder duty. The horse tax, which was formerly forty
shillings, and latterly ten shillings and sixpence, has only
recently been abolished.
In 1803 two additional troops were raised, viz., the second
or Cumnock troop, by Boswell of Auchinleck, and the third or
Ayr troop by lieutenant-Colonel Oswald ; each of the troops,
including officers, numbering forty-eight. These additional
troops were called into existence in view of the threatened
invasion by the army of the French Eepublic, — a prospect
which the Justices of the Peace, at a Quarter-Sessions held at
4 History of the
Ayr on 25 th October, deemed so imminent that they ordered
the different clergymen to request the farmers, from the pulpit,
to thresh out and convert into meal as much of their corn as
possible, and to store it in barrels, so that it might be easily
carried off, and an abundant supply of food be insured. The regi-
ment, which, from a return made to Parliament on 9th December
1803, appears to have numbered one hundred and forty men,
now assumed the title of the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
They were quartered at Ayr for permanent duty in October,
and again in December 1803 : on the latter occasion they were
inspected by Colonel Douglas, when they acquitted themselves,
in the words of the county newspaper (the Ayr Advertiser),
" in a style that procured them the warmest eulogiums from
the inspecting officer, and afforded the most gratifying enter-
tainment to a numerous body of spectators. The regularity of
their marching, the accuracy and rapidity of their wheelings,
the pointedness of their formations, the bold velocity of their
charges, and their expertness in the sword-exercise, while they
called forth unbounded praise, naturally suggested what may
be expected from discipline so superior and example so highly
respectable."
In January 1804, orders were received by the Yeomanry
and Ayr Rifle Corps to hold themselves in readiness to march
immediately upon the appearance of an enemy on any part of
the coast; biscuit was accordingly ordered to be baked to
supply each man with bread for so many days, and signal-
posts were erected in every parish for the members of the
various armed associations to repair to on the alarm being
given.
In May following, the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry received
orders to occupy Hamilton Barracks, they having previously
given proof of their patriotism by volunteering to serve in any
part of the United Kingdom. While at Hamilton, where they
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 5
remained for fifteen days, the regiment was inspected by
General Wemyss, and received from that discerning officer
very flattering compliments on their proficiency in the cavalry
exercise.
Not long after their return to the county, another order
from the War Department, to march to the vicinity of Glasgow,
met with prompt obedience, and the regiment aided in sup-
pressing a mutiny of recruits for the Canadian Fencible
regiment, who had refused to embark. No man was absent
on this occasion but those who, from sickness, were unable to
attend ; and many who happened to be out of the county at the
time, on receiving intelligence that the corps had marched,
posted on to join their comrades. Thereafter the regiment
was stationed for some time at Hamilton, and while there
they remained constantly on the alert, and ready to move to
any quarter where their services might be required.
In June 1805, Lieutenant-Colonel Oswald was presented
on parade with a very handsome sabre from, the non-commis-
sioned officers and privates of the corps. The presentation
was made by one of the members of the regiment in the
following words :—
" Colonel Oswald, — Having been called upon by my com-
panions-in-arms, to-day, to express to you the sense they entertain
of your conduct both as an officer and as a gentleman, and although
I am but ill-qualified for the task, yet I acknowledge I am proud
of the honour which their kindness has imposed upon me. Duty
to our king and love for our country at first induced us to leave
our ordinary avocations and to assume this garb ; and when I tell
you that I feel happy in being placed under your command, I
speak the sentiments with which every man in the corps is in-
spired. At present we have no opportunity of giving you a more
convincing proof of our regard than by presenting you with this
sabre. Receive then, sir, this as a mark of the united approbation,
attachment, and esteem of the non-commissioned officers and privates
6 History of the
of your Ayrshire Regiment of Yeomanry Cavalry. While we con-
tinue in war, we are convinced it could not have been placed in
hands more ready to unsheath it in our country's defence ; and
should the period ever arrive when our more efficient services
shall be demanded, we feel confident that our willingness to follow
will only be surpassed by your eagerness to lead us to victory and
to honour. And when peace, sweet peace, shall again visit our
land, — when we shall return to our agricultural pursuits, and beat
our swords into ploughshares, — our greatest happiness will be to
see yours hung up in the hall of your ancestors, as a token of the
respect in which the corps have held you as their commanding
officer. May you live long to be a blessing to your friends and to
your country."
To this Colonel Oswald replied as follows : —
" Gentlemen, — I receive with great pleasure this mark of
your esteem and attachment. The steady attendance and unre-
mitted attention of every individual in the corps, afford the best
proof of the honourable motives which induced you, gentlemen, to
step forward in the situation in which you now stand, and of the
effectual service your country may with confidence expect from
you, should circumstances occur to render it necessary to call for
them. To your own exertions, and the assistance I have met with
from the officers of the corps, I owe the approbation you have
honoured me with ; and I beg you will believe me, that while I
feel proud of the distinguished mark of it you have this day
bestowed on me, I shall at all times feel the highest interest in
the prosperity of the corps."
On 30th October of the same year (1805), the Ayrshire
Yeomanry Cavalry, in brigade with the Riflemen and 1st
Regiment of Volunteers, were reviewed on the race-course by
that distinguished soldier, General the Earl of Moira, Com-
mander of the Forces in Scotland. That the county regiments
acquitted themselves with credit on the occasion, may be
gathered from the following General and Brigade Orders : —
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 7
" General Orders.
" Lord Moira requests Brigadier-General Mackenzie to express,
in his name, to the troops reviewed this day, the highest appro-
bation of their state of discipline. The corps are respectively in
perfect condition for their several styles of service; and Lord
Moira begs both officers and men to accept his thanks for that
laudable attention which has been evidently exerted in attaining
so distinguished a degree of proficiency."
" Brigade Orders.
" Brigadier-General Mackenzie has much satisfaction in com-
municating to the regiments reviewed this day, the great praise
bestowed on their conduct by General the Earl of Moira. He
cannot, however, allow this opportunity to pass without expressing
his high gratification that, each time the corps under his command
assemble on permanent duty, they not only improve in discipline,
but continue to possess that zeal and anxiety for the good of their
country which they have hitherto had in so eminent a degree."
As a proof of the strength of the Yeomanry and Volunteer
Force in Scotland at this time, it may be mentioned that a
landing of the enemy in the south of England being expected,
the Earl of Moira, as Commander of the Forces in Scotland,
was written to by His Eoyal Highness the Duke of York, to
know with what force as a corps of reserve and within what
time he could march to Northampton. His Lordship replied
that on the third day after receiving His Eoyal Highness's
summons he would cross the Border with two columns of ten
thousand each, equipped not as a corps of reserve, but as a
regular army fit for the field, and in this calculation not one
regular battalion was included. 1
The earliest regimental order which is preserved is by
1 Speech by the Marquis of Hastings (Earl of Moira) at a public dinner
held in his honour at Ayr in 1825.
8 History of the
Colonel Oswald, and bears date 18th June 1807. It is in the
following terms :—
"The Ayrshire Corps of Yeomanry Cavalry will meet on
Monday next, the 25th instant, on the Green at Ayr, at half-
past eleven o'clock, in marching order, for the purpose of an
inspection of arms and appointments. As a considerable time
has elapsed since the corps has been called out, and the present
meeting is appointed in order to making the necessary arrange-
ments previous to the corps being called out on permanent duty,
the commanding officer expects that every individual will be
punctual in his attendance, and that any expressly prevented in
their attendance will report themselves to the non-commissioned
officer of their respective troops. The commanding officer expects
to find the arms and accoutrements in the greatest order. The
troops will be dismissed after inspection, the present meeting being
only preparatory ; at the same time, a full and punctual attend-
ance is requested."
When assembled on permanent duty at Ayr, the non-
commissioned officers and privates of the corps were quartered
in the town, the Lord-lieutenant having previously issued a
warrant to the Magistrates and Justices of the Peace, requir-
ing them to provide billets. The hour for turning out in the
morning was generally an early one, as, on account of the sands
being used as a drill ground, the state of the tide required to be
taken into consideration. It was the rule, rather than the
exception, for the trumpet to sound to " Boots and Saddles " at
a quarter before five A.M., and at a quarter past five, the troops
assembled at their private parade grounds, viz., the right troop
in the Sandgate, the centre troop in the Newton Street, and
the left troop at the Old Bridge End. After the usual prelimi-
naries, a move was made to the sands, where a number of hours
were spent in evolutions, and the day's work concluded with a
foot parade in the afternoon, to which the men turned out in
clean white pantaloons. Nothing of much interest in the
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 9
history of the regiment took place for some years ; the usual
assemblies and inspections going on with regularity, but being
devoid of incident.
In the year 1816 the Lord-lieutenant has occasion to write
as follows to the commanding officer in reference to certain
riotous proceedings which had taken place at Ayr : —
"Eglinton Castle, 13<A June 1816.
"SlB, — It having been represented to me by the Provost of Ayr
that a serious riot had taken place there last night, and that the
miller's house and mills were destroyed, and that great danger is
apprehended, and that more mischief is intended, I have to desire
that you will immediately give directions that the Yeomanry
Cavalry under your command may be ready to assemble on the
shortest notice, and that you will put yourself under the orders of
the Provost and Magistrates, to act as they shall direct, until
further orders, and for which this shall be your warrant. — I am,
etc., Eglinton."
Accordingly, Captain Alexander Gairdner, who was tem-
porarily in command, communicated with the authorities at
Ayr, and received orders to assemble his men at once. No time
was lost, and at one o'clock on the morning of the following
day, the corps mustered at Ayr, where they remained on duty
for eight days.
The following communication to the commanding officer,
with reference to the conduct of the corps, was entered in the
regimental Orderly Book, at the request of the Magistracy : —
"The Provost and Magistrates request that you, sir, officers,
non-commissioned officers, and gentlemen of the Ayrshire Yeomanry
Cavalry, will accept their most cordial thanks for the very
cheerful and prompt manner in which they assembled and lent
their aid in suppressing the alarming and disgraceful riots which
have lately taken place here, for which also the thanks of the
respectable part of the community are most justly due to them,
io History of the
and their services are fully appreciated ; and they have no doubt
that the corps will continue to execute any orders they may
receive for maintaining public tranquillity."
The Provost (William Cowan) also wrote to the command-
ing officer in the following terms : —
"My Lord Eglinton, by his orders dated the 13th current, was
pleased to put you and the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry under my
command until further orders. I have only to say to you that I
feel happy his Lordship did me that honour, because, in so doing,
I am persuaded you have saved much property and probably some
lives. Your uniform quietness and good conduct in quarters, and
the alacrity with which you went upon duty, have not escaped me,
and I am persuaded, had more active service been required of you
than what I had occasion to call upon you for, you would have
equally well discharged your duty. The thanks of the Magistrates
you have already received ; their good wishes and those of the
whole orderly part of society attend you. I now give you leave
to depart to your homes, and for the present discharge you from
further attendance on permanent duty."
A change now took place in the command of the regiment.
After fifteen years' service, in the course of which he succeeded
in transforming the Yeomanry from a single troop into a well
drilled and well disciplined regiment, Colonel Oswald retired,
and was succeeded by Major Alexander Boswell of Auchinleck,
whose commission as lieutenant-Colonel was dated 14th June
1816.
In 1817, the fourth or Galston troop was raised by Captain
Fairlie ; and not only was this addition made to the original
corps as it stood, but a second regiment of Yeomanry was
formed. It was in the face of great political excitement, and
in response to the call of Government, that the 2d or
Cunningham and Cumnock regiment sprang into existence.
The original strength was four troops of fifty men each, viz.,
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 1 1
the first or Cumnock troop ; the second or Kilmarnock troop ;
the third or Irvine troop ; and the fourth or Loudoun troop. A
fifth troop was afterwards raised, in 1820, by Claud Alexander,
of Ballochmyle, and was known as the Ballochmyle troop.
William Houison Craufurd, of Craufurdland, was the first
Major-Commandant, and he was succeeded, in 1819, by John
Fender Hamilton of Cairnhill. The members of this regiment
were dressed in blue jackets, with white facings; they had
white overalls for ordinary use, and, for best, bluish grey
overalls, with a white stripe, were worn. The head covering
for review order was a ponderous helmet, weighing little short
of seven pounds, while for field drill order, a blue bonnet with
a white rim and tuft was used ; the belts were white, and they
were armed with swords and pistols.
The first annual muster for permanent duty was held at
Irvine in November 1817 — a month which was rendered
memorable from the circumstance that on the evening of
Sunday the 16th, a tremendous thunderstorm burst over that
part of Ayrshire ; one of the yeomen, while visiting his stable,
was struck by the lightning, and two of the horses in the stable
were killed. After this year the regiment generally drilled at
Ayr, but in 1824 their headquarters were permanently
established at Kilmarnock, and a park was obtained in the
vicinity of that town, which, after being drained and levelled,
was used for purposes of drill. The establishment of a second
regiment of yeomanry made it necessary that some change
should take place in the designation of the old corps. Accord-
ingly, in August 1818, Lord Eglinton wrote to Colonel Boswell,
instructing him to denominate the corps under his command as
the First Corps of Ayrshire Yeomanry. Nicknames or bye-
names also distinguished each of these gallant regiments ; the
First rejoicing in the distinctive appellation of the " Yellow-
yeldrins, ,, and the Second glorying in the proud title of the
1 2 History of the
" Peesweeps." These names no doubt originated in allusion to
the colours of the facings, which were respectively yellow and
white.
Under their able and experienced commanders, both corps
attained to a high state of efficiency, and were well qualified to
take an active part in the somewhat critical times which were
already throwing their sinister shadows over our beloved
land
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 13
CHAPTER II.
THE RADICAL YEARS, 1819 — 1820.
" Success to each Briton wha fearlessly rose
To defend freedom's birthplace frae rebels an' foes,
Wi' their sharp pikes an' radical clegs.
May they ne'er lose the freedom they rose to defend,
May peace and content spread their wings o'er the land ;
An' may ilk trait'rous chiel wha rebellion wad breed,
Get a prog in the guts, an' a skelp on the head,
Wi' a sharp pike an' a radical cleg."
Sharp Pikes and Radical Clegs, by John Goldie.
For some years previous to 1819, a feeling of discontent had
been gradually gaining ground among the operatives of the
west of Scotland. The cause is not far to seek. The close of
the war, and the consequent fall in prices, together with the
deficient harvest of 1816, had combined to produce stagnation
in trade, and considerable distress in Glasgow and the other
manufacturing towns of the west. This unhappy opportunity
was seized upon by political adventurers, who laid down the
specious doctrine that reform in the representation of the
people was the panacea for every evil. 1 To this end mass
meetings were continually being held throughout the autumn
1 "Sic great distress for want o' trade,
Sae lang among the spiders,
Maks them too easily misled
By base seditious leaders."
Epistle to J. O. (a yeoman), by Charles Lockhart
of Dundonald, 1821.
14 History of the
of 1819, and reference is made to one of these meetings in the
following letter from the Lord-lieutenant : —
" Eglinton Castle, 14th November 1819.
" Sir, — Although I do not conceive that there is actual danger
of riot or disturhance at what they call a county meeting of the
radicals which is to he held in a field adjacent to Kilmarnock
on Saturday next, the 20th instant, yet I think it necessary to
be prepared ; you will, therefore, be pleased to give directions to
the first corps of Yeomanry Cavalry under your command to be
ready to turn out at a moment's warning, and if called out, that
they will assemble at Mauchline, to remain there till farther
orders. — I have, etc. etc., Eglinton."
" Lieut.-Col. Boswell, 1st A. Y. C."
The meeting, however, which was largely attended, came
off without violence save that of language, and the Yeomanry
were not called upon to interfere.
It now became necessary for Colonel Boswell to attend to
his parliamentary duties, and accordingly he left the regiment
in charge of Major Robert Crawford of Newfield, in terms of
the following order : —
" Auchinleck, November 17, 1819.
" The duties of Parliament render it absolutely necessary for
the commanding officer to absent himself for a short time, and he
trusts that he may thus aid in the adoption of measures which
will tend to put down the disaffected, and render the exertions of
this respectable corps unnecessary, or, if necessary, more effectual.
He leaves the corps under the command of an experienced officer,
who has faced the enemies of his country in their proudest day,
and who is now too well known to the commanding officer and to
every member of the corps to leave anything farther to wish than
to be under his command. The duties which the corps has to
perform, if called upon to perform them, are the most useful, the
most honourable, and the most sacred that man can be called upon
to perform — to repress disorder, to defend property, and to pre-
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. i 5
serve and maintain the best blessings we possess, the laws and
religion of our country.
" God save the King, and preserve the Constitution.
" Alexander Boswell,
" Lieut-Col. Commandant, 1st A. Y. C"
During the month of December disturbances took place at
Ayr, and the third and fourth troops were quartered there in
consequence ; but it was soon found that their presence could
be dispensed with, and the commanding officer had the satis-
faction of receiving the following letter from the Sheriff and
Provost of that town : —
" Ayr, 25th December 1819.
" Sir, — On considering the present circumstances of the county,
and particularly of this town and neighbourhood, we do not deem
it necessary that any part of the corps of Ayrshire Yeomanry
Cavalry under your command should be longer kept on permanent
duty here. In dispensing with their further services, we cannot
avoid expressing our warm approbation of the promptness and
alacrity with which they have lately assembled here and given
their repeated assistance in aid of the civil power, and declaring
our opinion that their exertions have materially contributed towards
preserving the peace of the county. We have the fullest confi-
dence that, on any future emergency arising which may call for a
renewal of their services, we shall experience from them the same
ready and effectual assistance for securing the public tranquillity.
— We have, etc. etc.,
" A. Bell, Sheriff-Depute of Ayrshire.
William Cowan, Provost of Ayr.
" To the Commanding Officer, 1st A. Y. C."
With the commencement of the new year (1820) things
began to assume a more serious aspect. .The discontent and
disaffection which had so long been smouldering seemed on
the eve of breaking out into open rebellion. The insane idea
of resorting to physical force was now entertained by the dis-
1 6 History of the
tressed operatives of the larger towns, particularly Glasgow
and Paisley, and this insanity was sedulously encouraged by
delegates from the manufacturing centres in England. Secret
drillings were now the order of the day, and it was no un-
common thing, in many of the country villages of Ayrshire, to
see the worthy but deluded weavers busily engaged in sharpen-
ing their pikes while seriously discussing what part of their
neighbours' property they would help themselves to in the
forthcoming scramble. A general rising was soon determined
upon, and on the night of the 1st of April (a characteristic
date) the walls of Glasgow and Paisley were placarded with a
treasonable " address to the inhabitants of Great Britain and
Ireland," which was doubtless intended as a declaration of
war; and in obedience to this "proclamation" some 60,000
persons in the city and district struck work. The authorities,
meanwhile, very wisely resolved to assemble such a force as
would not only deprive rebellion of every chance of success,
but might even deter its votaries from the fatal attempt.
Accordingly, in the course of a few days all the available troops
in Scotland, including a large force of yeomanry cavalry, were
concentrated upon Glasgow and the vicinity. On the after-
noon of Sunday, 2d April, well-mounted orderlies conveyed to
the two regiments of Ayrshire Yeomanry orders for their imme-
diate advance on Glasgow, and the following regimental order
was at once issued by Colonel Boswell : —
" Auchinleck, seven o'clock, April 2d, 1820.
" The commanding officer having received a sudden order to
call out the corps under his command, however much he regrets
the inconvenient time, he relies on the loyalty and spirit of all the
individuals, and that every man will turn out in this emergency to
put down those who render property and everything valuable to
man insecure ; all that can be wished is, that by one well-directed
effort we may be spared further annoyance. The first and third
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 17
troops will assemble to-morrow at twelve o'clock noon, at Ayr, in
marching order, with necessaries. The second troop, in like order,
at the same hour, in Mauchline. The fourth troop, at the same
time, in like order, at Kilmarnock.
" Alexander Boswell, Lieut.-CoL Commandant."
Similar orders were issued by Major Ferrier Hamilton to
the troops of the 2d corps, and by 4 a.m. on Monday morning
some 300 troopers were on the way to their various rendezvous.
At noon Colonel Boswell took command of the united regi-
ments, and disposed of the troops as follows : — Three troops of
the 2d regiment, under Major Ferrier Hamilton, were directed
upon Glasgow; two troops of the 1st regiment, under Major
Crawfurd, proceeded to Paisley; while the remaining three
troops of the united corps remained in Ayr, under the command
of Captain Montgomerie, for the defence of the county.
The march of the five troops caused much excitement
among the country villages along the line of route, and a con-
siderable amount of unnecessary sympathy was expended upon
the poor yeomen, who were going, according to the popular
belief, to be skivered by the pikemen of Glasgow and Paisley.
The two troops of the 1st regiment reached Paisley about
five o'clock in the afternoon, and they appear to have received
some delicate attentions from the mob on their arrival : one of
the yeomen, who, on his entrance into the town, had stated to
his officer that he did not like the idea of a rencontre with an
unarmed mob, seems to have undergone a change of senti-
ments, for, on the officer taking notice of the matter in the
evening before the troop, the individual in question replied.,
" I *m no that man noo, for I 've got a lick on the side o' my
head, and anither on my shouther, and I 'm ready to gie them
twafor'tr
When the troops of the 2d regiment arrived in Glasgow,
on the evening of the same day, they halted at the Black Bull
B
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The viraiss rerfrrcaai rr ire Tfcmazzr :srocsztKWt the
eventful w=ek i» d-fv:ii cz izstpfss : lie asaanbhr was
soondird every zsjesizs *5 4 o'gLvk. ir?I sibsr rsspeetaan they
were dismissed to spend tfcerr t£ne ia the sable yards,
sharpening their scores it the Lcise-trcsgrx. and waiting for
the appointed *tjti*I — the tm^; of a carmen from the barrack-
yard — which never came. One afternoon as Sergeant Thomas
Wallace, of the Loudoun troop, was standing at an entry in
Gallowgate, he was stabbed in the neck by an abominable
instrument called a dig, which was thrown at him by a villain
who made his escape. This instrument was somewhat of the
nature of a shuttlecock, had a steel point three inches long,
1 Andrew Watt, farmer, Yonderton, Tarbolton, is a hale and hearty
veteran of eight/ yean, who delights in recounting the incident* of his
Olasgow campaign, and boasts that he it not a bit too old to show younger
men the way again should occasion arise.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 19
was loaded with lead at the head, and dressed with feathers so
as to guide its flight The 1st regiment had also an oppor-
tunity of studying the natural history of clegs, many fine
specimens of which were to be found at Paisley. Once, while
marching through the town, a member of the mob threw
one into the middle of the Ayr troop, whereupon Sergeant
Cameron, who did not approve of such insects, galloped after
the offender, pursued him through a passage and across several
gardens, and eventually secured and brought him back in
triumph by the skruff of the neck. On the morning of
Wednesday, which had almost been proclaimed as the opening
of the campaign, the whole troops in garrison, to the number
of 5000, assembled and patrolled the principal streets and
suburbs of the city. Eebellion was appalled and hid her face. 1
In the outskirts of the city only were some faint and convul-
sive efforts made to get the now demoralised insurgents to take
the field, but the utmost endeavours of their ringleaders could
only induce some two or three hundred partially armed men
to venture forth, and they hastily skulked off on seeing the
1 " At length the lang leukit for mornin' cam' roun\
When their hosts should assemble in country and toun,
Wi* their sharp pikes, etc.
When they voVd that such valorous deeds shou'd be done,
What battles they 'd fecht, an' what fiel's they wad won,
But they countit their chickens afore they were hatch'd,
An' they guttit their haddocks afore they were catch'd,
Wi' their sharp pikes, etc.
«
For their courage grew cauld when it cam' to the bit,
An' the puir bodies thocht it was high time to flit,
Wi* their sharp pikes, etc.
Their orator leaders turnt out rather shy,
An' they thocht it was best to let sleepin' dogs lie ;
For they didna much relish the leuks o' the chiels
Wha were ready to scatter some Wellington pills,
'Mang their sharp pikes, etc."
Sharp Pikes and Radical Clegs, by John Goldie.
20 History of the
paucity of their numbers and the inadequacy of their equip-
ment. 1 Only on one occasion did the military come into
actual collision with the disaffected, and that was at Bonny-
muir, where a party of fifty radicals had the boldness to make a
stand and deliver their fire upon a small body of cavalry, con-
sisting of eleven hussars and eleven members of the Kilsyth
troop of Stirlingshire Yeomanry. The radicals were at once
dispersed, and nineteen of their number taken prisoners. In
Ayrshire, things had remained as usual during the week, with
the exception of a muster of sixty men in Stewarton district,
under the command of Mr. William Orr, shoemaker, who
drilled them sword in hand. Accordingly a troop of Yeomanry
from Ayr, under Lieutenant Gairdner, was despatched to the
spot, when they succeeded in apprehending and carrying to
Ayr the more prominent members of the radical force, but not
including the valiant " Captain " William Orr, who, on the
approach of the cavalry, found discretion to be the better part
of valour. On Saturday the 8th, the presence of the troops in
Glasgow and Paisley was dispensed with, and the Yeomanry
accordingly returned to their homes.
Not many days after his return, Colonel Boswell was
applied to by the Magistrates for a force to aid in quelling
apprehended disturbances in Mauchline. Anxious to avoid
calling out the Yeomanry again, Colonel Boswell stated his
willingness to march at the head of the special constables.
This, however, they declined to do, as they were unarmed, and
believed that about one hundred and fifty of the disaffected
were prepared for hostilities. The local troop of Yeomanry
was then warned, but through some mistake they were
appointed to assemble at five in the morning instead of at
midnight, and when the gallant Colonel proceeded to take
command at the latter hour, he was only able to collect seven
1 The Edinburgh Annual Register, 1820.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 2 1
yeomen. With these, however, in addition to the special
constables, he set out, and having posted his troopers at the
various outlets of the village, he succeeded in securing thirty
of the ringleaders, together with a large number of pikes and
clegs. The revolutionary spirit was now thoroughly cowed,
and things began to resume their normal state of quietude.
The pleasing duty then devolved upon Colonel Boswell of
conveying to the Yeomanry the thanks which had been
accorded them by the authorities, and he did this in terms of
the following order : —
"Auchinleck, April 11th, 1820.
" The two corps of Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry having been
united on service on the late threatening of a violation of the
public peace, it is the duty of Lieutenant-Colonel Boswell to
express the strong sense which he entertains, in common with
every friend to social order, of the exemplary conduct of the
Yeomanry of Ayrshire. Towards Major Ferrier Hamilton, who
conducted three troops of his corps to Glasgow, with a promptitude
which does equal honour to officers and men, there is .but one
feeling of thanks and approbation ; and the conduct of the three
troops of the united corps at Ayr, under the command of Captain
Montgomerie, has been no less conspicuous and meritorious. To
Major Crawfurd and the two troops which marched to Paisley,
Lieutenant-Colonel Boswell has already expressed his thanks for
their behaviour under trying and harassing circumstances, and
it will gratify them much more to learn that their soldier-like
appearance and conduct was remarked and praised in very
flattering terms by Lieutenant-Colonel Thornhill, who took the
command at Paisley on Friday the 7th.
" To men who have loyally come forward to protect their
country against the efforts of a traitorous rabble, the consciousness
of having done their duty is the best recompence ; but it is grate-
ful to human feeling to find that service thus performed is
favourably appreciated by our fellow- subjects, and Lieutenant-
Colonel Boswell has much pleasure in communicating the following
general order and letters of thanks : —
22 History of the
" General Order.
" Major-General Sir Thomas Bradford begs that the different
corps of Yeomanry and Volunteers which have been placed upon
permanent duty upon the occasion of the late disturbance, will
accept his best thanks for the alacrity with which they have come
forward, and the steadiness with which they have discharged their
various duties.
"The Major-General duly appreciates the sacrifice that has
been made by individuals in leaving their private avocations at
the present season of the year ; but he trusts they will return to
their homes with a satisfaction more than equivalent, and which
must arise from the conviction that all have essentially preserved
the cause of good order by their presence and activity, and some
even with their weapons. James Douglas, D.Q.-M.G."
Letter from the Lord-Lieutenant, Sheriff, and Provost
of Paisley.
" Paisley, Sth April 1820.
" Sir, — We, the Lord-Lieutenant, the Sheriff, and the Provost
of Paisley, for himself and the other Magistrates of Paisley, beg
leave in this manner to convey to you, and through you to the very
respectable corps of Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry under your com-
mand, our warmest thanks for the patriotic and useful services
which they have just rendered to this district in a manner so
prompt and so honourable, and at a season so inconvenient for
themselves.
" We also beg leave to express our own grateful sense (which
accords with that of every respectable person in this town) of
the very excellent conduct of all the individuals of the Ayrshire
Yeomanry Cavalry while quartered here. — We have, etc. etc.,
" Blantyre.
" John Dunlop.
" Oliver Jamieson.
" To Colonel Boswell, Auchinleck, Mauchline."
The following letter from Lord Sidmouth was received by
the Lord-lieutenant of Ayrshire : —
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 23
" Whitehall, 20th April 1820.
" My Lord, — Having received from Major-General Sir Thomas
Bradford a report of the good conduct of the several corps of
Yeomanry Cavalry who have rendered their services on the
occasion of the recent treasonable tumults in North Britain, I have
thought it my duty to lay that report before the King, and I have
the satisfaction to acquaint your Lordship that His Majesty has
commanded me to express hist high sense of the promptitude and
alacrity with which the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry assembled
and (with the exception of three troops necessary for the defence
of their own county) marched to Glasgow and Paisley for the
purpose of assisting the civil power in averting the danger with
which those populous and important towns were threatened. — I
have, etc. etc., Sidmouth.
" To the Right Hon. the Earl of Glasgow, etc. etc."
And so ends the history of the " Radical War," an insur-
rectionary movement which at one time seemed serious enough,
but which, thanks to the timely and sensible precautions
adopted by the Scottish Administration, collapsed in a manner
more nearly akin to the comic than the tragic. The following
jeu d' esprit, written by John Goldie, then a member of a volun-
teer corps in Paisley, and afterwards an Ayrshire yeoman, may
fitly close this chapter : —
* Radical Bodies, gab Hame.
" Ye radical set, that in bodies hae met,
I redd ye to part and gang hame, gang hame,
Or faith ye will fin' that it's nae pleasant thing
For bullets to riddle your wame, your wame.
The cavalry 's comin 1 , gae hame, gae hame,
Wi' riflemen rinnin', gae hame, gae hame ;
The cavalry 's comin', wi' riflemen rinnin',
Sae, radical bodies, gae hame, gae hame.
" Ilk delegate chiel has been playin' the deil,
Wi' your purses, your cause, and your fame, your fame :
24 History of the
Your pikes and your clegs are owre short in the legs
For a rifleman's bullet, gae hame, gae hame.
The cavalry 's comin', gae hame, gae hame,
Wi' riflemen rinnin', gae hame, gae hame ;
An* if ance they begin, they '11 gar a' your troops rin,
TW ye were a dizen to ane, to ane.
" The night it was set, when your troops should hae met,
To conquer or die for your claim, your claim ;
But at bugle or drum, deil a out ye wad come,
For ye thought ye were safer at hame, at hame.
The cavalry 's comin', gae hame, gae hame,
Wi' riflemen rinnin', gae hame, gae hame ;
When cavalry 's comin*, and riflemen rinnin',
A radical 's safest at hame, at hame.
" On Gathkin your camp was nae doubt rather damp,
An' when it began for to rain, to rain,
To keep yoursel's warm frae the weet and the storm,
Ye were wise just to step awa hame, hame, hame.
The cavalry 's comin', gae hame, gae hame,
In case you should get yoursel' lame, lame, lame ;
For I '11 wad ye a groat, if ye slocken a shot,
Ye '11 think ye'd been better at hame, at hame.
" Ye expeckit, nae doubt, at your first turn out,
That your faes would a' shrink at your name, your name ;
. That our sodgers would join, for to strengthen your line,
But, my conscience ! you're rather mista'en, mista'en.
The cavalry 's comin', gae hame, gae hame,
An' a rifleman taks a guid aim, guid aim,
An' if ance he should mak' a bull's-eye o' your back,
Ye needna care muckle for hame, for hame."
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 25
CHAPTER III.
SIR ALEXANDER BOSWELL, BAKT.
" Alas ! vindictive was the wrath,
And fatal was the blow,
Thou pride of Scotia's chivalry,
In death that laid thee low ! "
Any record of the Ayrshire YeomanTy would be incomplete
without something more than a passing reference to the chival-
rous Laird of Auchinleck, who commanded them so ably during
the most stirring period of their history. The term " Heaven-
born soldier " might well be applied to Colonel BoswelL Of
commanding height and presence, a finished horseman, quick
in judgment, concise in speech, and of indomitable zeal and
energy, he brought to the command of the regiment all those
qualities which constitute the successful leader of men. To
his duties as commandant of the local cavalry, Colonel Boswell
added those of a Member of Parliament and of a county
magistrate, and in all these capacities he did the State good
service. In literature also, as became the son of the biographer
of Johnson, he was not undistinguished ; his private printing-
press at Auchinleck made known to the world many of the
treasures of that classic library, and his own pen produced
songs and verses not a few which still live. 1
1 Boswell's Poetical Works, by Robert Howie Smith, 1871.
26 History of the
One of his poems addressed to the Yeomanry may be re-
produced here : —
«
" The Ayrshire Yeomen.
" Ye lads of Ayr, when first we met,
Enroll'd as honest yeomen,
Each bosom glow'd — we feel it yet —
In warmth we '11 yield to no men.
The war is o'er, in peace we live,
But surety double sure we '11 give,
That foreign and domestic foe,
We have them down, we '11 keep them low,
And guard our happy nation.
" In olden time, our reckless sires
Their swords might beat to ploughshares,
But watchful steadiness inspires
The man who duty now shares.
Though caution some may deem absurd,
Yet " ever ready" is the word,
And while we grasp the trusty brand,
Shall ruin sweep our native land,
And 'whelm our happy nation %
" They are not men to crouch as slaves,
Whose blood, like ours, throbs wildly,
We are not fools, the dupes of knaves,
Though wool-clad wolves look mildly ;
Then let the viper hide his sting,
The reptile, if he ramp, we Tl ring,
His venom check, his malice mar,
And fling the poison from us far,
Far from our happy nation.
" The brimming bumper, boys, renew,
A health to our defenders !
Who closed the scene at Waterloo —
That word new fire engenders !
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 27
Though willing all to meet the foe,
To their transcendent deeds we owe
That Britain's unpolluted shore
Is still undrenched with hostile gore,
And boasts a peerless nation. 11
The estimation in which Colonel Boswell was held by his
corps found expression in the month of March 1820, when, at
the close of the training, he was presented by the non-
commissioned officers and privates of the regiment with a
massive gold snuff-box. 1 In the following year Colonel Boswell
was created a Baronet of the United Kingdom, a distinction
much more rare in those days than it has since become. The
following is a copy of the letter which brought him official
intimation of the intended honour : —
"Whitehall, July 13, 1821.
"My dear Sir, — I have great pleasure in acquainting you
that His Majesty has signified his gracious intention of conferring
upon you, forthwith, the dignity of a Baronet of the United
Kingdom. This distinguished mark of Royal favour is to be
attributed, not merely to the just view which has been taken by
His Majesty of those fair pretensions which arise from your station
in life, your property, and character ; but also, in a high degree, to
those principles of loyalty and of attachment to the constitution of
your country which you have invariably manifested, and to the
important services which, at periods and under circumstances the
most critical, you have rendered in that part of the kingdom in
which you reside.
" These considerations make it peculiarly gratifying to me to
be the channel of this communication ; and I need not assure you
that the satisfaction which I feel on this occasion is heightened by
the sincere regard with which I have the honour to be, etc. etc.,
" SlDMOUTH.
" Alexander Boswell, Esquire."
1 William Heron of Dalmore, Quartermaster of the regiment, made the
presentation.
28 History of the
Sir Alexander was not long spared to enjoy his new and
well-deserved honours. In March 1822, Mr. James Stuart,
younger of Dunearn, conceiving himself to be insulted by a
political squib which appeared in the Glasgow Sentinel, and,
rightly or wrongly imputing the authorship to Sir Alexander,
demanded of him that he should either disavow the authorship
or else meet him. Sir Alexander, however, refused to say
whether or not he was the author of the article complained
of, — a course which may be accounted for by the fact that
several gentlemen, Sir Alexander among the number, who
contributed to the Sentinel, had pledged themselves not to
divulge what they wrote. The hostile meeting, which accord-
ingly became inevitable, took place at Auchtertool, in Fife, on
2 2d March. On his way to the fatal field, Sir Alexander
informed his companions that as he had no ill-feeling towards
Mr. Stuart, he intended to fire in the air, which he did. Mr.
Stuart's bullet, however, was directed with deadly aim, and
Sir Alexander fell mortally wounded, and being carried to the
house of his relative, Lord Balmuto, expired there on the
following day. The news of this unfortunate event caused
universal sorrow in Ayrshire, and a veTy general wish was
expressed by all classes that they might have the opportunity
of paying a last tribute of respect by following Sir Alexander's
remains to the grave. In this natural desire the 1st regiment
of Ayrshire Yeomanry was not last in participating, and the
following letter on the subject was received by Captain Fairlie
from the Lord-lieutenant : —
" Hawkhkad, April 2, 1822.
" Sir, — I cordially concur with the wish you have so feelingly
expressed, that the troops of the 1st Ayrshire Yeomanry, com-
manded by the late Sir Alexander Boswell (or such of them as
can be most conveniently assembled), should attend his funeral
on the 10th instant, and avail themselves of that last opportunity
of testifying their respect and affection for a distinguished in-
j
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 29
dividual, whose zeal for the public interests of the county to which
he belonged shone conspicuously through his life, and whose able
and intelligent mind was always directed to the promotion of
whatever was useful and patriotic. — I am, etc. etc.,
" Glasgow, Lieutenant, Ayrshire.
" Captain Fairlie, commanding 1st A. Y. C."
The wishes of the Yeomanry having been acquiesced in by
the relatives, the troops assembled at their private parades on the
morning of the 10th, and marched to Auchinleck House. The
funeral cortfye, nearly a mile in length, was headed by the
Yeomanry Cavalry, under the command of Captain William
Campbell of Fairfield, in reverse order, followed by the buglers
belonging to the corps. On reaching Auchinleck churchyard,
the cavalry filed off, and dismounting, rested upon their swords,
while the rest of the attendants proceeded onwards to the church.
It is said that not less than 11,000 persons were present on
the occasion, a striking proof of the estimation in which the
deceased baronet's memory was held. The tragical death of
Sir Alexander Boswell suggested many poetical tributes ; one,
indeed, whereof a verse heads this chapter, is attributed to the
great magician, Sir Walter Scott ; but second to none in point
of merit, and of greater value to us as the expression of local
feeling, are the following beautiful lines by John Goldie, 1 a
member of the Ayr troop : —
" heard you yon trumpet sound sad on the gale ?
heard you the voices of weeping and wail 1
saw you the horsemen in gallant array,
As in sorrow and silence they moved on their way 1
" The people's deep wailing, the trumpet's shrill tone,
Were the breathings of sorrow for him that is gone ;
And yon dark plumes of death that did mournfully wave,
Deck'd the bier that bore on their loved chief to the grave.
1 Author of Radical Bodies, gat Hame.
30 History of the
" When the train of lone mourners arrived at the path
That leads to the desolate mansions of death,
O marked you each horseman lean sad on his sword,
While the corse slowly pass'd of the chief he adored 1
" And mark'd you each manly breast heave with a sigh ;
And mark'd you the tear-drop that gush'd in each eye,
Of those who were robed in the garments of woe,
When they saw him in death's dreary mansion laid low 1
" In the cold vault of darkness the mighty one sleeps ;
He heeds not who praises — he hears not who weeps ;
And the sneer of the traitor — the bard's mourning hymn-
Are alike disregarded, uncared for by him.
" Thy halls, Auchinleck, are all desolate now :
Ayr ! roll on in sorrow, in solitude flow ;
For low lies thy bard who so sweetly did sing —
Thy chieftain so true "to his country and king."
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 31
CHAPTER IV.
1820—1828.
" Mb. Buller. — The country is indebted to my friend Lansdowne for the
disbanding of the most truly constitutional and national force that ever
guarded the internal peace of a great kingdom."
" Shepherd. — Ay, and the cheapest too, sir. The verra horses in plough
or harrow were indignant at that measure ; and the meenister's cowte
himsell, that used to carry the doctor as chaplain, though nane o' the
skeighest, had your friend the Markee offered to munt him, after his un-
patriotic dissolution o' the Soor-Mulks, wud hae funked the Secretary for
Home Affairs outower the Carter." — Noctes Ambrosiance.
Two additional troops were raised in May 1820; one by
Eichard Oswald, younger of Auchincruive, in connection with
the first regiment, and known as the fifth, or Captain Oswald's
troop ; the other, in connection with the second regiment, by
Claud Alexander, and called, out of compliment to him, the
Ballochmyle troop. This increased the establishment of each
of these corps from four to five troops of fifty men apiece.
Next year both regiments turned out in new clothing — a
luxury due to the generosity of the county gentlemen, who
voluntarily assessed themselves for the purpose of assisting to
defray the heavy expenses thrown upon the commanding
officers, and completing the equipment of the yeomanry. The
following extract from the county minutes shows how inadequate
the Government allowance was for the purpose intended : —
" The funds applicable to clothing and equipment are paid by
Government at an annual rate of one pound ten shillings per man.
32 History of the
In order to meet the first expense on the formation of a corps, it is
allowed to draw this annual allowance for three years in advance,
after which period the annual allowance is again issued. The
allowance taken in advance is only four pounds ten shillings, while
the sum required to make the necessary outfit upon the most
economical plan is not less than fourteen pounds. Before this
sum, if advanced by the individual, can be replaced by the annual
allowance, new clothing and many articles of equipment are re-
quired, and must be furnished either by the individual or the officer
commanding. Besides this, when any changes take place in the
corps (which in such corps are unavoidable), in many cases the
clothing and some of the equipments are lost to the corps, and such
individuals as may come forward to fill up the vacancies lose any
advantage which might be obtained from the allowance paid in
advance; and, if the persons who have left the corps have not
served out the three years, are so far in a worse situation, as no
annual allowance will come to them till that period shall have
elapsed. Seeing these difficulties, and aware of the advantages
which the public derive from the services of the yeomanry corps,
other counties in Scotland and in England have seen the propriety
of furnishing a permanent fund for obviating them, and for putting
it in the power of the officers commanding these corps to keep them
effective without incurring a heavy personal expense. To do this
with the two corps of yeomanry which now exist in this county,
consisting of five troops of fifty in each corps, your committee find,
from the information communicated to them by the commanding
officers, that a sum of not less than £2000 sterling would be
required. For this purpose it was proposed that the sum when
raised should be at the disposal of a committee, along with the
commanding officers, to furnish the necessary equipments, and that
the clothing allowances for both corps should be paid into this fund
as they shall accrue, in order to meet expenses of incidental repairs
and furnish new clothing, etc., when it shall be found necessary,
and that a regular account of the fund and its application be kept.
In this way it is considered that no further aid will be required to
keep these corps constantly in a state of effective equipment."
It may be mentioned that the amount actually raised was
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 33
considerably less than the sum named, but the thanks of the
yeomanry were none the less due for the very handsome and
timely assistance accorded to them.
In 1822, Mr. John Goldie, on whose poetical remains we
have so often had occasion to draw, came to Ayr as editor of the
Ayr Courier, and enlisted in the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
He made offer of his services in the following characteristic
letter : —
" 'List, lfct-oh, list V—Eamltt.
" Know ye, James Watling, quartermaster,
I, Nichol Nemo, poetaster,
O* my freewill hae got to say,
That I at Ayr this fourteenth day
O' March (a month just made to list in),
My grey goosequill hae ta'en my fist in,
To let you an' your Captain ken,
Gif ye be scarce o' beasts or men,
I hae a horse, or rather mare,
An' in your ranks I should na care
To mount her for a year or twa
Gif death an* skaith should spare us a*.
As for the beast, she *s fit for duty,
Though like her master, nae great beauty ;
Nae high-bred, mettled, spankin' blood,
That skelps like lightnin 1 o'er the road ;
Nor is she strong for cart or pleugh,
But she sairs me, an' that *s eneugh.
" As for myseP, wi' heart an* han'
I shall obey ilk just comman' ;
Provided always, cap an' feather,
Wi' mountin's 0' claith, steel, an' leather,
Shall be provided first by you,
As is ilk tested sodger's due.
" Whene'er Will Culbertson's loud horn
Shall soun' ' turn out ' at nicht or morn,
C
34 History of the
I shall be present on the fieT,
Be 't foot parade or morning drill ;
An 9 ance I get a fortnight's hammerin'
F the awkward squad, frae Sergeant Cameron,
1 'U ken ilk order he can mention,
At 'stand at ease,' be all 'attention,' —
Like spinners help to form a line.
Like dandies learn to dress in time,
Mak' squares like ony timmer-whiter,
An' charge, ay, like a very writer.
" Besides a' this, if foes should e'er,
Or even Radicals appear,
I '11 no' be last, believe my word,
To sen' them * Home ' wf pen or sword.
Now, if ye like the terms aforesaid,
There need be very little more said ;
To ser' his Majesty I 'm willing
Hie manus est, let 's see the shillin'."
It need hardly be said that Mr. Goldie's services were gladly
accepted, and that he proved himself to be as expert with the
sword as he was with the pen.
The 1st regiment was reviewed in 1822 by Lieutenant-
Colonel Smith, inspecting-officer to Major-General Sir Thomas
Bradford, and the following is a copy of his report : —
" Ayr, 21th July 1822.
" Sir, — I have the honour to report to you that I have this day,
according to your instructions, inspected the 1st corps of Ayrshire
Yeomanry Cavalry, under the command of Major Crawfurd. The
zealous services of this corps are fresh in the memory of every
individual, and the spirit of loyalty by which it was actuated under
its late distinguished and lamented commander, is also universally
known. It is a duty which I perform with the greatest pleasure
when I state to you that the military appearance, dress, and equip-
ment of this regiment of Yeomanry is very perfect : it executed
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 35
many movements with precision and promptitude, and is altogether
in that state of discipline which could alone arise from the energy
and attention of Major Crawfurd, his officers and men. — I have,
eta, " W. G. Smith,
" Lieutenant-Colonel and Major of Brigade. 1 '
In August following, on the occasion of his Majesty's visit
to Scotland, both of the Ayrshire regiments volunteered to serve
in Edinburgh during his Majesty's stay. Their services, how-
ever, were not accepted, for the reason stated in the following
letter from Mr. Secretary Peel : —
"I have communicated to the King the wish expressed by the
first corps of Ayrshire Yeomanry to attend his Majesty during his
visit to Edinburgh, and I am commanded to desire that you will
convey to that corps the assurance that his Majesty does the fullest
justice to the loyalty and attachment which it has manifested
towards him upon the present occasion, but that, on account of the
distance from Edinburgh, and the inconvenience to which, on
account of the season of the year, the members of the corps might
be exposed, his Majesty has been graciously pleased to dispense
with its attendance upon him."
A letter in similar terms was addressed to Lieutenant-
Colonel Ferrier Hamilton, commanding the 2d Ayrshire
Yeomanry Cavalry.
In the summer of 1823, the Marquis of Hastings (better
known as the Earl of Moira), after many years spent in India,
where he held the high offices of Governor-General and Com-
mander-in-chief, returned to his seat of Loudoun Castle ; on
which occasion the Kilmarnock Volunteers, together with a
troop of Yeomanry, marched thither to congratulate the dis-
tinguished nobleman. To commemorate the event, John
Bamsay of Kilmarnock wrote a doggerel poem, of which the
two following verses may be taken as a sample : —
" When Hastings back frae India came,
The worthy chief to welcome hame
3 6 History of the
Our ' Dandies V 1 had resolved, and fame
Said wine and wassail
Profuse, should celebrate the same
At Loudoun Castle.
" The Cavalry, wi' some persuasion,
Agreed to serve on this occasion ;
But, previous, they got intimation
That nae flesh, but
Such as was void of animation,
Was to be cut."
Lord Hastings again revisited Loudoun Castle in August
1 825. On this occasion his Lordship was escorted from Cumnock
by a detachment of the 2d Eegiment, which was relieved at
Mauchline by a detachment of the 1st. In the meantime the
remainder of the 2d Eegiment, with one troop and a half from the
1st, assembled and formed line in the park at Loudoun ; while
the Kilmarnock Volunteers, under Major Parker, formed up
in front of the Castle. When the party approached they were
received by a salute from the Yeomanry, and thereafter by the
infantry. Lord and Lady Hastings then left their carriage
and repaired to the park, where the Yeomanry marched past
and saluted, and his Lordship was pleased to express to Colonel
Hamilton, in the strongest terms, his satisfaction with the
general good appearance and steadiness of the regiment, and
the sense of gratitude with which he was impressed by a
compliment so flattering to himself.
A great diminution of the Yeomanry force took place in
the year 1827, the numbers being reduced from 35,500 to
13,500. The time chosen by Government for this reduction
was singularly unfortunate, as, on account of the threatening
state of Ireland, almost all the regular troops were required to
do duty in that unhappy island ; and the impolicy of the step
1 A nickname of the Kilmarnock Volunteers.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 37
was fully demonstrated by the circumstance, that in the course
of a very few years it was found necessary to re-embody almost
every corps which had been reduced. Among those which
suffered extinction in 1827 was the 2d Eegiment of Ayrshire
Yeomanry, the actual date of its dissolution being the 24th of
December. 1
The services of this gallant regiment did not go without
acknowledgment. At the county meeting held on 30th April
1828, Sir David Hunter Blair read the following letter from
the Lord-lieutenant : —
" AprU 25, 1828.
" My dear Sir, — I hope you will forgive the liberty I take in
addressing this letter to you, as the probable preses of the general
meeting at Ayr on the 30th instant, persuaded that you will
agree with me in the propriety of submitting to the meeting some
resolution expressive of the sense entertained by the county of the
very meritorious sendees of the 2d or Cunningham and Cumnock
Corps of Yeomanry Cavalry, lately discontinued. Much praise, I
am sure, it will be allowed, is due to Lieutenant-Colonel Ferrier
Hamilton, individually, for exerting his military experience and
skill in the instruction of the corps, and for the courtesy and kind-
ness which gained him the esteem and regard of every individual
belonging to it. The greatest praise is due to the other officers,
non-commissioned officers, and privates, for the cheerful sacrifice
they made of their personal convenience, for their exemplary
conduct while in quarters, and their punctuality of attendance. 2
Such a tribute, expressed in such terms as you think proper, will,
I am confident, meet the wishes of every person connected with
the county. — I am, etc., Glasgow."
1 A few months later Lieutenant-Colonel Ferrier Hamilton entertained
the officers and a number of county gentlemen to a public dinner in Kilmar-
nock ; and at the anniversary dinner in October following, Colonel Hamilton
was presented by his late officers with a valuable piece of plate.
8 This was very conspicuous. At permanent duty in 1821, for instance,
out of a total establishment of 268, there were only three men absent,— one
from sickness, and the other two from the illness of near relatives.
38 History of the
The meeting having heard this letter read, unanimously
resolved —
" That this meeting most cordially concur in and approve of the
sentiments of the Lord-Lieutenant's letter in praise and approbation
of the exemplary conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Ferrier Hamilton
and the other officers and men of the late 2d Regiment of Ayrshire
Yeomanry, and that his Lordship's letter and this resolution be
recorded as a small testimony of the high opinion the county
entertain of their eminent services, and be published in the county
newspaper and in the Edinburgh Evening Courant and Glasgow
Herald: 9
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry* 39
CHAPTER V.
1828—1838.
" My theme is the yeoman's fair praises ;
A plain man but asks a plain tale ;
With loyalty's glow his heart blazes,
And honesty 's his coat of mail."
Sib Alexander Boswell.
When the services of the second regiment were dispensed with,
his Majesty was pleased to direct that the first regiment should
be completed to three squadrons. Accordingly, in 1828, the
sixth troop was raised, or rather was drafted, from the late
regiment. This troop, which was recruited from the Loudoun
district, was called the Loudoun Troop, and was commanded by
Captain Hamilton. The regiment, thus increased to six troops
of fifty men each, now resumed its former title of the Ayrshire
Yeomanry Cavalry. For concentration and pliability the corps
was divided into two wings; the 'point d!appui for the left
being Kilmarnock, and for the right Ayr. These wings were
placed under the superintendence of the two senior squadron
officers, with an establishment of warners in each town, so that
two squadrons could, on any emergency, be collected on the
shortest notice, while the third or reserve squadron, from
around Mauchline and Maybole, could follow in an hour or
two. In 1829, the Countess of Glasgow presented the regiment
with standards, which were duly consecrated by the Rev. Dr.
M'Leod, chaplain to the corps. The standard for the right
wing bore the royal arms and the device of "Carrick;" the
40 History of the
standard for the centre bore the figure of St. Andrew and the
device of * Kyle ; " and that for the left had the figure of St.
George and the device of " Cunningham."
In the course of the following year (1830), at the request
of Earl Grey's Government, the troops were increased from
fifty to eighty men apiece. No difficulty was experienced in
obtaining the required number of recruits : in a very few days
no less three hundred young men put down their names as
willing to join, and many more could have been obtained had
it been necessary. The regiment was now frequently employed
in keeping the peace throughout the county. In a regimental
order, dated July 28, 1831, Colonel Crawfurd says: —
" Gentlemen will observe that their services are at all times at
the disposal of the civil authorities, either expressed by requisition
from the Sheriff, or, in absence of superior authority, by any two
Magistrates; but detachments or troops will on no account act
without the orders of a Magistrate, except in self-defence, or in
defence of the arms with which they are intrusted by his Majesty,
and which it is hoped that no Ayrshire yeoman will ever tamely
resign, however circumstanced or outnumbered, without first giving
proof that he has made a good use of them."
On the 8th September of that year, orders were received by
the commanding officer to send a detachment of men to Girvan,
where a serious riot was apprehended. By twelve o'clock noon,
seventy men, principally from the first and fifth troops, had
marched off. They arrived within a short distance of Girvan
at three o'clock, and remained there for three hours, while
processions were taking place. Things appearing to be quiet,
they then returned to Ayr, which they reached at about nine
o'clock that evening, after a march of forty miles. The horses
were not distressed, though some of them had marched not less
than fifty-five miles that day. It is worthy of note that the
party were cheered as they passed through the different towns,
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 41
particularly at Maybole. In connection with this affair, the
county newspaper records an instance of singular military
virtue in the person of a member of the Carrick troop, who was
intrusted with the escort to Ayr of one of his nearest relatives,
a prisoner under most serious charges. This duty he faithfully
performed, although his life was threatened for so doing; his
reply to such threats being, that his duty was his first conside-
ration, and that as for his life, when that was attempted he
would sell it dearly. In a regimental order the commanding
officer drew attention to the meritorious services of this gentle-
man (Private Gibson) in foregoing for the conscientious dis-
charge of his duty as a yeoman all considerations of a private
nature : he was accordingly promoted to the rank of corporal,
and his conduct was specially brought under the notice of the
Lord-Lieutenant.
December following found the first troop again doing duty
at Ayr, and on this occasion they received the thanks of the
Home Secretary, as well as of the Lord-lieutenant and lieu-
tenancy. The letter from the Home Secretary is in the
following terms : —
" Whitehall, 9th January 1832.
" My Lord, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your Lordship's letter of the 4th inst., with its enclosures, reporting
the return of the Carrick troop of Ayrshire Yeomanry to their
homes, and I request that your Lordship will express to the
officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates of the troop, the
satisfaction which I have derived from the zeal and alacrity
evinced by them on the occasion of their services being called for
in aid of the civil power. — I have, etc., Melbourne.
« To the Earl of Glasgow."
In January 1832 a troop, full strength (eighty-three), turned
out at Ayr " to protect the execution of a criminal ; " and again,
in June, Captain Fairlie was called upon to assemble his troop
for similar disagreeable duty, the culprit on this occasion being
42 History of the
one Ramsay, who was hanged for shooting a constable at an
Orange procession in Girvan, and apprehensions were enter-
tained that a rescue might be attempted.
No assembly for permanent duty took place in 1832, on
account of the great prevalence of cholera in Ayr and through-
out the county: the Yeomanry at Edinburgh, Stirling, and
Kenfrew were also prevented from assembling for the same
reason.
Coming to the year 1834, we find that the services of the
yeomanry were called into requisition on the occasion of the
Parliamentary election for the Ayr district of Burghs, which
took place on 28th February. On this date Colonel Crawfurd
received orders to assemble a troop as speedily as possible;
and in the course of a few hours the fifth troop was collected
at Monkton. At six o'clock p.m. they were marched into Ayr,
which was by this time in the hands of the mob, the constabu-
lary having been completely overpowered. On arriving at the
town they had to attack and clear a barricade in the Newton.
This they did in a few minutes amid a shower of stones, blue-
lights being also thrown among the horses' feet for the purpose
of frightening them. They then proceeded to clear the streets,
behaving throughout with the greatest coolness and forbearance
in spite of much provocation. When, at length, order had
been restored, the yeomen were drawn up between the Old and
New Bridge Ends. They were formed in three ranks, with an
interval of about twenty yards, Colonel Crawfurd being in
front of the first rank, Major Campbell of Treesbank in front
of the second, and Lieutenant Boswell in front of the third.
Here they remained for some hours in a state of semi-darkness,
the old oil lamps giving only so much light as made darkness
visible. A large crowd assembled round the yeomen, but, with
the exception of an occasional stone or brick from out the
darkness, their conduct was pacific, being probably to some
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 43
extent influenced by the knowledge that the pistols were
loaded and primed. A characteristic incident here occurred
which may be mentioned, as it affords an opportunity for
correcting a popular but incorrect version of the story. A
drunk man coming along the New Bridge was attracted by
Colonel Orawfurd's white charger and glittering accoutrements,
and, staggering along the front, attempted to take hold of the
Colonel's bridle. Colonel Crawfurd reined his horse aside,
saying good-naturedly, "Get away, my good fellow, and if
you wish a glass of grog, I will order it for you." The
"incapable" then passed round by the rear, and, observing
Major Campbell in front of the next rank, proceeded to
attempt a similar liberty with his bridle. He had mistaken
his man. " Hold off," said the Major, " or I '11 knock your
head off." With drunken obstinacy, however, the man per-
sisted in seizing the reins, and the mare commencing to rear,
Major Campbell brought down his sword and cut the fellow's
fingers rather severely. The local legend is that the man lost
his head (which in a sense perhaps he did), but the above may
be relied on as a true account of the matter, and it ought to be
added that the sufferer was promptly attended to by a surgeon,
and that the application, on the following morning, of a plaster
in the shape of a five-pound note, was found to be a sovereign
remedy. About 11 p.m. the crowds began to disperse, and the
yeomen, with the exception of a guard of one sergeant and
twelve men, were ordered to their quarters. The troop re-
mained on duty for four days, and on being dismissed they were
thanked by Sheriff Bell, who did not hesitate to declare his
conviction that to the prompt appearance, steady conduct, and
continued presence of so effective a force he had been mainly
indebted for the preservation of the peace of the town, and the
suppression of those disgraceful outrages which' took place
before their arrival
44 History of the
In December following a part of the Loudoun troop was
despatched to Catrine on the occasion of a formidable combina-
tion, supported by the Power-loom Union of Glasgow and the
West of Scotland, who had ordered a strike among the people
of Catrine, and by threats and intimidation endeavoured to
prevent others from being employed in their place. The
small party of yeomen, numbering only twenty men, succeeded
in putting an end to the riot, and in apprehending the ring-
leaders and lodging them in Ayr jail.
In the columns of the Ayr Observer (July 26, 1836) there
appears a poetical address by an Ayrshire yeoman to his old
charger, which is worthy of reproduction, not so much on
account of its own merit as for the very humane and admirable
sentiment which it embodies : —
An Ayrshire Yeoman's Address to his auld Charger.
By Hugh Baibd, late Farmer in Lochhead.
" What ails thee now, my puir auld Jeanie,
Ye 're no sae brisk as I hae seen ye,
Sure it 's no wark that mak's thee wearit,
An' crushes down thy noble spirit ;
But it 's auld age has come upon thee,
An' into sad dejection thrown thee.
But think na tho' ye 're turning auld,
To some coal-driver ye '11 be sauld,
Through rugged roads to hag an' hash thee,
Wi' leathern thong to whup an' lash thee :
As oft we see beas' badly tented,
By duddy men an' boys tormented,
Wi' evil harness, fa's, an' threshes,
Near half their surface a' red flesh is :
They're starv'd to a'most skin an' bane,
Till they can harly gang their lane ;
Yet in a heavy lad'ning yokit,
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 45
Still by their drivers snool'd and knockit,
Till death, relenting at the view,
Steps kin'ly in for their rescue ;
About roadsides an 9 ditches lying,
We aft times see them dead or dying,
An' the puir carcase tak' the hale o't,
A hungry houn' scarce gets a meal o't ;
But while I live ye 'se ne'er be smarted
By coalmen cauld an 9 callous-hearted ;
I '11 never prove sae far ungratefu'
As gie thee to sic tyrants hatefu',
As oft unfeeling masters act,
An' put auld servants to the rack.
I min' langsyne, when but a boy,
To rin wi' thee was muckle joy,
When thou a foal, a noble ranter,
Out through the fiel's took mony a canter ;
I aften led thee till the water,
An' gied thee corn to mak' thee fatter ;
Ye soon grew up baith stout an' brawny,
Yet aye was peaceable and canny —
Ane scarcely could hae found thy marrow
For either cart, or pleugh, or harrow.
Full thirteen years, wi' nimble shanks,
Ye bore me in the yeomen ranks,
For thou wast neither lame nor lazy,
But fu' o' mettle a' thy days ay;
I needed ne'er t' apply my heel
To mend thy pace for charge or wheel,
But just my han' a wee thing slackit,
An' brawly thou the hint could tak' it,
Ye managed wi' the greatest ease
To pass, or file, or wheel by threes.
For ev*ry movement thou wast ready,
Yet at the sword stood firm an' steady ;
But days an' years hae changed the case,
A younger charger fills thy place ;
46 History of the
Baith man an' beast maun pass the prime,
An' one day yield to conquering time.
But tho' for wark now little able,
Don't think I '11 turn thee out my stable,
While thou 'rt alive, 1 11 gie thee gratis,
Ay twice a day, a wheen potatoes ;
When younger horse come in frae toiling,
Ye 'se get wi' them a pickle boiling,
I '11 fill thy hack wi' hailsome fodder,
I '11 rub thee down an' mak' thee snodder —
While there 's a nitch about the steading
Thou shanna want for rowth o' bedding,
As lang 's a farm 's by me possest
Ye '11 share a morsel o' the best,
An' shouldst thou still be left alive
When death does me of life deprive,
By feeling Men's we 're baith respeckit,
What 's for thy gude they '11 no negleck it."
Passing to the year 1838, we find that a member of the
House of Commons (Mr. Gillon) brought some very grave
charges against the conduct of the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
It appears that a detachment of the 3d troop, under Captain
Hunter, had been ordered to Kilwinning on the occasion of the
county election on 7th August 1837, for the purpose of pro-
tecting the poll and preserving the public peace. Mr. Gillon,
in his place in Parliament, asserted that the Yeomanry galloped
into the town with drawn swords, to the great terror of her
Majesty's subjects, and that they acted as regular canvassers
for the Tories. These charges, which were devoid of the
smallest particle of truth, were evidently concocted for the
purpose of furnishing a little miserable political capital,
and were promptly dropped when they had served their pur-
pose. Had any vindication of the conduct of the Yeomanry
been required, it would have been furnished by the follow-
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 47
ing letter from Captain Hunter, which appeared in the
Standard: —
"Huntmbston, AprU 6th, 1838.
" Sir, — I regret to find by to-day's paper that the motion of
Mr. Gillon, regarding the conduct of the Ayrshire Yeomanry
during the late elections, has been withdrawn, as I know that an
inquiry would have shown that the information communicated
regarding them was in every respect incorrect Being the officer
who commanded the detachment called into Kilwinning on the
occasion alluded to, I beg to state, in the most express manner,
that every one of the allegations against the conduct of the men is
completely contrary to fact, and, in contradiction, I have to state
the following, which I pledge myself as an officer and a gentleman
to be correct, in so far as I know or had an opportunity of judging.
" The corps was not called out the day previous, as stated, but
assembled on the morning of the day of election, and very early,
that the men might not pass through any of the polling stations
after the poll had commenced, and only one troop was out. About
two o'clock P.M. of that day I received an order from the Sheriff
to bring my detachment into Kilwinning in aid of the civil -power,
and we did not enter it at a gallop as alleged. We would have
been ashamed to have done anything so ridiculous ; on the con-
trary, we came in at an ordinary trot, and in turning up a narrow
street near to the polling station, I caused my men to walk, as
there was a great crowd there. I understood that the reason of
our being called in was that there had been considerable rioting,
and that many of the Conservative voters had been grossly insulted
by being spat upon and otherwise abused, and I know that Lord
Kelburae had been attacked by the mob, had part of his clothes
torn off, and with difficulty escaped. We remained drawn up
before the polling booth about an hour and a half, and till the
polling was over, when we were ordered to withdraw from the
town. During this time no man moved from the ranks. I may
mention, in case it should be meant as an allegation, that we had
our swords drawn on entering the town; but I never heard that this
was considered any ground of complaint against cavalry when on
48 History of the
duty. Shortly after arriving, however, I was told that it would please
the people if I would cause the men to return their swords, and if I
would do so they promised to be quiet. I accordingly did so, and
we received three cheers. I state this merely to show that there
was no desire on our part to irritate. In withdrawing from the
town, and as soon as our backs were turned, we were assailed by a
complete shower of stones, which was continued all the way out. I
did not, however, allow any of the men to turn; I considered it would
have served little purpose to have done so. If we had rode over or
wounded any of the mob, it would have afforded to their instigators
a good handle of complaint against the yeomanry. In returning,
our swords were not drawn, and, as it was, no individual was
attacked or in any way injured by our men ; on the contrary,
several of the yeomanry were a good deal hurt and cut by the
stones. I shall only further remark, that nothing is so rigidly
excluded from our corps as politics. We have men of all parties.
One of the officers with me in Kilwinning was the seconder of the
Liberal candidate on the nomination day, and several of the men
had voted for him that morning.
" It is said that the yeomanry should not have been called out
at all That may be the case or not, but it was no matter of ours.
We were ordered out by the civil authorities, and by them a part
was called into Kilwinning, and I assert that no men could have
behaved with more forbearance than those whom I had the honour
to command on that occasion; and in behaving thus they only
acted as the men of this regiment have always hitherto done, and
will, I feel confident, always continue to do.
" The detachment consisted of thirty-four men and three officers.
— Your obedient servant, Robert Hunter/ 9
To this it need only be added, that the Yeomanry have
never acted in the spirit of partisanship ; that they have been
employed in protecting Whigs and Tories, Radicals and Re-
formers alike ; that politics are never so much as mentioned in
the regiment, being in fact forbidden ; and that whenever a
man puts on his uniform he lays aside his politics.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 49
CHAPTER VI.
1838—1855.
" Our troop contains some spoonies, " Some people in the charging
That shame their bonny nags, Are shy about the squeeze ;
And bump upon their saddles But these dress by their sergeant,
like to a miller's bags ; And never mind their knees.
But these, our pride and glory, And from the carriage- windows
Sit firm upon their rears,— Look out the pretty dears,—
• •••* ••...
In fact, they're more like Centaurs May we all ride together
Than common cavaliers. For many happy years."
Songs of the Edinburgh Troop.
In the year 1838 Government resolved to reduce a great part
of the Yeomanry corps then in existence. In Scotland only
two corps escaped the general extinction, and these were the
Lanarkshire and Ayrshire regiments. Mr. Fox Maule stated
in Parliament that both of these corps had been frequently
called out in aid of the civil power ; that they were under the
command of officers of experience; that they could be trans-
ported with ease elsewhere; and therefore they were to be
retained. We find from the Yeomanry Beturnsof 1840 that
the relative strength of these two corps was :— Ayrshire, with
six troops, numbering 27 officers and 475 men, — total, 502 ;
and Lanarkshire, with four troops, numbering 13 officers and
219 men, — total, 232; giving 734 as the total strength of
Yeomanry Cavalry in Scotland.
In September 1842, in consequence of the colliers having
struck work and assembling in large bodies to prevent others
D
50 History of the
from working, the second and fourth troops were called out,
and very speedily assembled at Kilmarnock, — one troop march-
ing to Irvine, and the other remaining at Kilmarnock. In the
course of a few days these troops were relieved by the fifth
troop, one-half of which was stationed at Kilmarnock and the
other half at Irvine. After a fortnight's duty, occupied chiefly
with patrolling at night, both detachments were withdrawn.
In November following, Captain Hunter received orders to
march to Ayr with forty men of the third troop. They were
called out in consequence of the riotous conduct of the turn-
out colliers, who had attacked a number of the new hands and
shot one of them. The third troop was on duty altogether for
thirty-three days ; the one-half of the troop which was first
called out having been relieved during this period by the other
half. The very excellent behaviour of the men is testified
to in the following report from Captain Hunter to Colonel
Crawfurd : —
"Ayr, Deer. 1842.
" The Captain commanding the detachment of the third troop,
which has been on duty here for the last thirty-three days, is much
gratified in being able to report to the Colonel Commandant that
the conduct of the men has been most soldier-like and exemplary,
and such as to afford him the utmost satisfaction.
" He has great pleasure in adding that on no occasion has any
one of the men ever appeared on duty in the slightest degree
affected by spirits ; that notwithstanding the hard work at night
and severe wettings, neither man nor horse has been unfit for
duty, except from accidents; that at all times, on being called %
upon suddenly, they turned out with an expedition equal to that
of regular troops (ten to twelve minutes) ; that there existed among
the men but one feeling of anxious desire to do their duty to the
very best of their ability ; and he feels justified in saying that no
troops could more efficiently have discharged the duties imposed
upon them than these men."
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 51
Before returning to their homes the detachment was in-
spected on the sands by Lord-Lieutenant the Earl of Eglinton,
when a variety of manoeuvres was executed in a manner which
reflected the highest credit upon the corps; whilst the clean
and soldier-like appearance of the men, and the excellent
condition of the horses, attracted general attention.
Although the day was unfavourable, with frequent heavy
showers, the ground was graced by the presence of the Countess
of Eglinton in an open carriage. A considerable number of
the inhabitants of Ayr also assembled to witness the move-
ments. At the close of the inspection, the Lord-Lieutenant
addressed the troop to the following effect : —
" I have great pleasure in expressing to you my extreme
approbation of the precision with which you have gone through
the movements, and of the soldierly appearance which distinguishes
the whole detachment. It reflects the greatest credit on yourselves
and the officers under whose command you have been placed. As
I hope that, within a few days, I shall be able to allow you to
return to your homes, I take this opportunity of expressing my
admiration of the excellent conduct which has characterised your
stay in Ayr ; and on the part of the county, as its Lord-Lieutenant,
to return you thanks for the efficient services which you have
rendered. I have no hesitation in saying that it is owing to the
presence of the Yeomanry here that the peace and tranquillity of
this part of the county during the last few weeks must be
attributed. I am most happy to find that the long service and
harassing night patrols have not proved either prejudicial to
yourselves or your horses. On your return home you will have
the satisfaction of knowing that, by your excellent conduct, you
have earned the respect of the whole county, and raised the
character of the regiment to which you belong."
It is worthy of record that the average height of the third
troop (recruited entirely from the Cunningham district), which
was taken at this time, was no less than 5 feet 9| inches in
52 History of the
their stocking soles, and this is the more creditable when we
recollect that the men were all of the agricultural class, and
taken into the troop without any particular regard to height.
It will be remembered that the third troop was the original
Ayr troop, and it may be asked how its headquarters came to
be removed from Kyle to Cunningham. The explanation is
as follows : — When the 2d or Cunningham regiment was dis-
banded, it was found to be exceedingly inconvenient that there
were no yeomen in the northern part of Ayrshire whose services
could be made available in the event of disturbances arising in
that district or in Glasgow and Paisley. Instructions were
accordingly given to Captain Hunter (who had joined the third
or Ayr troop in 1829, Lord Eglinton being then Captain) to
recruit the troop as far as possible from North Ayrshire. This
Captain Hunter very soon did, and in 1830, when, at Earl
Grey's request, the troop was increased to 80 men, no less than
150 of the flower of the Cunningham farmers offered their
services. Captain Hunter very naturally selected the required
number from among the old members of his late Irvine troop
of 2d Ayrshire Yeomanry, 1 and as vacancies occurred, they were
filled up in a similar way, till eventually the third troop came
to be composed entirely of Cunningham men. The fifth, or
Captain Oswald's troop, now became the Ayr troop, and was
recruited from the neighbourhood of the county town. While
on the subject of the old third troop, it is but right to record
the very high state of efficiency to which it attained through
the zeal and attention of Captain Hunter. Himself a thorough
soldier, he endeavoured, and with marked success, to com-
municate to his men an ambition to excel in all the details of
1 The Irvine troop was very loath to suffer extinction in 1827, and in
January 1828 they paraded at West Kilbride, and offered to continue their
services gratuitously, stating that not a man in the troop had been absent
from the last training. The Government, however, declined to accept their
services.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 53
their duty. His constant desire was that his troop should be,
in his own modest words, " at least not inferior to any other
troop in the regiment;" and it may be truly said that he
had as much cause to be proud of his troop as his troop had
to be proud of him. The painful accident Captain Hunter
met with when in the discharge of his duty, and which
eventually led to his retirement from the Yeomanry, evoked
the warmest sympathy from every member of his troop ; and
to this day, among his old surviving comrades, there is but one
feeling of affectionate regard for the memory of their much
respected and much lamented commander.
Colonel Crawfurd died suddenly at Newfield on 3d February
1843, and was interred at Dundonald on the 10th, with military
honours. Of the six sergeants who carried his body to the
grave, Mr. William Sloan of Brieryside, Monkton, still survives.
Though a strict disciplinarian, Colonel Crawfurd was much
liked by his men, who recognised in him those soldierly quali-
ties which won him distinction in the fields of Spain.
In the da 7 s of which we speak, a certain amount of firmness
was very necessary in the head of a yeomanry regiment ; hard
drinking was more common then than now, and with the early
turn-out in the morning there was a temptation occasionally
to sit up all night with the " barley bree." Mr. Sloan tells of
a rather amusing instance of this breach of discipline. One
morning Colonel Crawfurd observed a man in the ranks who
was not altogether — to put it mildly — as sober as a judge, so
he rode up to Sergeant Wright, who happened to be on the
flank of the troop, and ordered him to take the delinquent to
the guard-room. Sergeant Wright accordingly took hold of the
bridle and marched the man off to the door of the jail! where
he rang the bell. The turnkey who appeared asked what
was wanted. " You are to lock up this man," said the sergeant.
" By whose orders ?" queried the turnkey. " By Colonel Craw-
54 History of the
furd's orders." " And what am I to do with the horse ?" said
the perplexed turnkey. " Oh, I suppose you are to lock him
up too." Upon that the turnkey shut the gate in their faces,
and the sergeant, seeing there was nothing else for it, told his
prisoner to go home to bed and come sober to-morrow, and
galloped back to the regiment. "Well, sergeant," said the
Colonel, " how did you come on ?" "I did not get on at all,
sir," replied Wright ; " they said was so big a blackguard
they would not take him in." And on its appearing that the
sergeant had mistaken the jail for the guard-room at the bar-
racks, the Colonel was greatly amused, and took the first oppor-
tunity for sharing the joke with the other officers.
By his officers Colonel Crawfurd was highly esteemed, and
they gave expression to their feelings in the year 1835 by pre-
senting him with a valuable piece of plate, the presentation
being made by Captain Charles Fergusson, younger of Kilkerran.
Colonel Crawfurd was succeeded in the command by Major
Montgomerie of Annick Lodge.
At the annual review in 1845, a royal standard was pre-
sented to the regiment by the Countess of Eglinton. The
standard was composed of rich rose-coloured silk, on which
the royal arms were embroidered in gold, the whole being
surrounded by a gorgeous border of the same material. The
regiment formed into hollow square, with the band in the
centre, three sides of the square being composed of the different
squadrons, while the fourth was occupied by the carriage and
four in which her ladyship was seated. The imposing ceremony
of the presentation then commenced with prayer by the Eev.
J. C. Jamieson, chaplain to the regiment, who held the standard
in his hand. At the conclusion of the prayer the standard was
handed back to the Countess, and Colonel Montgomerie and the
other officers having assembled round the carriage, her ladyship
addressed them as follows :—
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 55
"Colonel Montgomerie, I have much pleasure in placing in
your hands, as Commandant of the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry,
this royal standard ; and in presenting it to so distinguished a
corps, I feel certain that it will be received with the loyalty and
guarded with the zeal and fidelity that have always marked your
conduct. It is an additional gratification to me that I have this
opportunity of expressing my gratitude for the kind and flattering
manner in which I was received by the corps when I first arrived
in this county." 1
She then handed the standard to the gallant Colonel, who
replied in these terms : —
" Lady Eglinton, allow me, in my own name and in the name
of the regiment now assembled before you, to return you our most
sincere thanks for the honour you have conferred upon us in pre-
senting us with the standard, and to assure you that our constant
endeavour shall be to retain it as unsullied as the hand that has
now presented it to us."
The officers then retired to their respective posts, and
Colonel Montgomerie having placed the colours in the hands of
Quarter-master Henderson of the Carrick troop, it was carried
round the square, the officers saluting as it passed, until it
reached the 1st squadron, where it rested, to be borne in future
on the right of the regiment.
In November 1846, lieutenant-Colonel Fairlie of Holmes
was appointed lieutenant-Colonel Commandant, vice Colonel
Montgomerie, who had retired a short time previously.
During 1847, disturbances of a minor character occurred in
the county, and portions of the third and sixth troops were
called out on several occasions. In 1848, however, matters
assumed a more serious complexion. The rabble of Glasgow,
fired by the success of their sans-culotte brethren of Paris,
1 When Lord Eglinton brought home his bride in March 1841, the noble
pair were escorted to the Castle by a detachment of eighty men from the
3d troop and district, with the Colonel, Major, and one Lieutenant.
56 History of the
endeavoured to get up a small revolution on their own account;
and on the 6th, 7th, and 8th of March, numerous shops were
broken open and sacked, and for a time Glasgow was absolutely
at the mercy of the criminal part of the population.
On the 8th, in consequence of representations from the
authorities in Lanarkshire, the whole of the Ayrshire Yeomanry
Cavalry were called out and kept on duty for eight days, one
squadron being stationed at Ayr, one at Kilmarnock, and the
third at Beith, Kilbirnie, and Dairy.
In July following, while the regiment was assembled on
permanent duty at Ayr, news of the Smith O'Brien outbreak
was received, and the commandant, through the captains, put
the question to the troops, whether, in the case of emergency,
they would be disposed to offer their services in any part of
the kingdom. An affirmative to the question was at once
given by three unanimous and hearty cheers, and the decision
of the regiment was conveyed to the Lord-lieutenant, and by
him to the Government. The following acknowledgment was
received : —
" Whitehall, 5th August 1848.
u My Lord, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of
your Lordship's letter of the 3d instant, informing me of the high
state of efficiency of the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry, which
assembled at Ayr for permanent duty during the past week, and
of the unanimous offer of their services in any part of the United
Kingdom, should Her Majesty deem it expedient to require them ;
and I am to acquaint your Lordship that this communication is
highly satisfactory to Her Majesty's Government. — I have, etc.,
" G. Grey.
" The Earl of Eglinton and Winton."
The regiment turned out this year in new clothing, dark
blue overalls replacing the former grey ones, black belts super-
seding pipeclay, and a graceful plume being substituted for the
old horse-hair tuft.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 57
For more than half a century it had now been the custom
to hold the annual training on the sands, the only exception
being when the corps was brigaded with infantry, in which
case the review took place on the race-course. This happened,
it will be remembered, in 1805, when General the Earl of Moira
was reviewing officer. There were many disadvantages atten-
dant on drilling on the shore, such, for instance, as the exposure
to wind and rain, the difficulty of hearing words of command,
the showers of wet sand that drove into the faces and damaged
the uniforms of the men in the rear rank, and lastly, the
necessity of accommodating the hours of drill to the state of the
tide. All these inconveniences contributed to secure a change,
and a permanent move was made to the race-course in 1854.
Strangely enough, in the very first year of the new drill-ground
a fatal accident befell Corporal John Bell of the 2d troop,
whose horse bolted with him, and, dashing against the wall
bounding the course, killed the unfortunate rider on the spot.
It had always been the custom for the officers to offer a
purse to be either raced or trotted for on the review day, the
conditions being generally of a rough-and-ready character, and
the course, like the classic race-course of the Newton cadgers,
running per mare per terram. Occasionally the conditions
were of a novel not to say startling nature ; for instance, after
the review of 1828, the non-commissioned officers and privates
of the corps competed for a cup, value fifteen guineas, given by
the officers. The race is thus described in the county news-
paper: — "A close column of half-squadrons being formed at
the starting-post, each of the twelve ranks taking proper
distances of files, started in succession in full review order,
after which the twelve winners, having laid off their side-arms,
started for the cup, which was won by Mr. Orr of the 2d or
Mauchline troop." It is not very clear from the above descrip-
tion whether the race was on foot or on horseback, but in either
5 8 History of the
view it seems calculated to have afforded sport for the
spectators.
Private matches on foot were not uncommon. In 1821 a
yeoman of the name of Hare undertook to run 200 yards with
a comrade fully sixteen stones weight on his back, before another
yeoman named Tod would run double the distance unen-
Ltered; «* M, to succeeded i» can^g hU welter
weight home several lengths in front of his opponent. Again,
in 1833, the Earl of Eglinton matched himself on foot against
one of his brother officers on horseback, to run a distance of
fifty yards, turning round a flagstaff and returning the same
distance. The match came off on the green behind the County
Buildings, in presence of a number of spectators. On starting
his Lordship went off with the lead, and reached the flagstaff
about the same time as the horse, which turned cleverly but
shied immediately after. This advantage was seized by his
Lordship, who put on a spurt and easily defeated his four-footed
antagonist.
As a natural consequence of the change to the race-course,
the annual races improved in quality, and were conducted
under more racing-like conditions. The smoothness of the
new course, moreover, tempted the officers to try the mettle of
their chargers, and a challenge cup was instituted in 1855,
which has since been run for annually. Prizes are now offered
for trots, gallops, and a hurdle race, and the interest taken in
the yeomen's meeting (albeit entirely unknown to the betting
fraternity) may be judged of by the fact that the number of
spectators generally present might fairly be compared with the
assemblage on the first and second days of the Scottish Ascot
— the Western Meeting.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 59
CHAPTER VII.
1856—1880.
•' Howe'er and whene'er rolls the wheel,
A yeoman 's content with his share ;
With furrows although he must deal,
It shan't be the farrows of care."
Sib Alexander Boswell.
During April 1856, the third and sixth troops were called out
in consequence of a widely spread strike among the colliers in
the north of Ayrshire. These troops remained on duty for a
fortnight, when they were relieved by the first and fifth troops.
It was at this time, and while on duty with his troop, that
Captain Hunter met with a serious injury to his shin-bone,
through a kick from one of the trooper's horses. The strike
continued for seven weeks, and during all that time a squadron
remained on duty, the troops named relieving each other.
Sheriff Christison expressed his approbation of the conduct
of the yeomanry in the following communication to Colonel
Fairlie : —
" I have great satisfaction, in consequence of the cessation of
the strike among the miners, and the improved state of the county,
in being enabled to dispense with the longer continuance of the ser-
vices of the Yeomanry Cavalry under your command from this date
(12th June). I cannot, however, do so without expressing, for the
public authorities and myself individually, our strong sense of the
importance of the services which you and the regiment have
60 History of the
rendered on the present very serious occasion, and of the obligation
conferred on the county for the preservation of the peace, at a very
great sacrifice of time and occupation. I believe it to be almost
unexampled that a strike of many weeks 1 duration should have
passed over among great masses of unemployed men with so little
disorder or riot ; and although much is due to the improved habits
and way of thinking of the unemployed men themselves, yet I
have a strong conviction that the result has, in a great degree,
been owing to the salutary influence which the troops under your
command exercised, not less by the respect which their uniform
good conduct and conciliatory temper inspired, than by the im-
pression of their efficiency and determination to put down all
illegal demonstrations and violence. I shall immediately com-
municate to Sir George Grey (the Secretary of State for the Home
Department) the important services of the Ayrshire Yeomanry
Cavalry on the present occasion, when I shall particularly mention
the alacrity with which they answered the call upon them, and the
sacrifices which they cheerfully rendered for preserving, unaided,
the public peace."
For many years it had been almost a matter of course for
a squadron of yeomanry to be called out on the 12th of July
in aid of the civil power. On 14th July 1860, Sheriff Christi-
son again writes : —
" I have to return the thanks of the Magistrates, and, in par-
ticular, of myself, for the prompt and most valuable services of the
Yeomanry Cavalry on the 12th of July, to which, as on former
occasions, I ascribe in a great measure the preservation of the
public peace, and without which at any rate there could have been
no security that it would be preserved over so widely spread a
district as Ayrshire. I trust that, with the continued assistance
of the yeomanry, this great county evil on the 12th of July will in
no long time be put an end to, and that the claims of the yeomanry
upon the public will be then still further appreciated."
It is a satisfactory reflection that, since this period, the
yeomanry have not been called upon to assist the civil
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 61
authorities ; but while this result may be attributed in great
part to the causes mentioned by Sheriff Christison, still it
must be remembered that the increased strength and greater
efficiency of the county police has a good deal to do with it.
At the annual training of 1861, Lieut.-Colonel J. 0. Fairlie
took the command, and the occasion was signalised by the pre-
sentation of a banner to the Kyle squadron by Mrs. Fairlie.
Since 1828 the regiment had consisted of three squadrons
or six troops, which were raised generally from the different
districts, but were not confined to any particular parishes.
For obvious reasons, it was resolved in 1862 to define the
various parishes from which each troop was for the future to
be recruited, and at the same time to increase the number of
the troops from six to eight. Accordingly a board of officers,
consisting of Captain C. V. Hamilton-Campbell, president,
Captain E. Gairdner, and Lieutenant C. 6. Shaw, was appointed
for the purpose of dividing the county into eight troop districts ;
and the following is the result at which they arrived : —
1st or Carrick troop to consist of — the parishes of Ballantrae,
Ban, Coltaonell, Dailly, Girvan, Kirkmichael, Kirkoswald, Straiton,
and Maybole.
2d or Ayr troop to consist of — Ayr, Coylton, Newton, Dalrymple,
and St. Qui vox.
3d or Cumnock troop to consist of — Cumnock, Ochiltree,
Auchinleck, Muirkirk, New Cumnock, and Dalmellington.
4th or Mauchline troop to consist of — Mauchline, Tarbolton,
Stair, and Sorn.
5th or Kilmarnock troop — Kilmarnock, Galston, Eiccarton,
Symington, Monkton, and Craigie.
6th or Loudoun troop — Loudoun, Stewarton, Kilmaurs, Dreg-
horn, and Fenwick.
7th or Irvine — Irvine, Kilwinning, Stevenston, Ardrossan,
Kilbride, and Dundonald.
8th or Dairy — Dairy, Largs, Kilbride, Beith, and Dunlop.
62 History of the
From this it will be seen that the first or Carrick troop,
raised in 1793, remained unchanged; that the second or Cum-
nock and Mauchline troop, raised in 1803, was split up into the
third and fourth; that the third or Ayr troop, raised in 1803,
and which afterwards came to be recruited from Cunningham,
now became the seventh; that the fourth or Galston troop,
raised in 1817, became the fifth; that the fifth or Auchin-
cruive troop, raised in 1820, afterwards the Ayr troop, now
became the second ; that the sixth or Loudoun troop remained
as formerly ; and that a new troop, the eighth or Dairy troop,
was carved out of the Cunningham district.
From an early period in the history of the regiment, it had
been pustomary for the officers to give a prize for the horse best
adapted for yeomanry purposes as well as for farm work. A
committee was sometimes appointed to act as judges, as
appears from the following report for the year 1818 : —
"We, the undersigned, being appointed judges by the four
troops of Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry, commanded by Colonel
Boswell, to inspect and report the best horse or mare for strength,
form, and action, equally adapted for farming purposes and for
the Yeomanry Cavalry ; and having inspected, find the best horse
of that description to be George Andrews' bay horse, Muirhouse,
parish of Monkton, belonging to the 2d troop of said corps.
"Will. Heron.
"John Campbell.
" Wm. Henderson.
" Alex. Crichton."
Prizes, consisting of a handsome set of cart harness and a
saddle and bridle, are now awarded to each squadron ; the best
horse in each troop being selected in the first instance, and the
winners competing in squadron for the harness, the saddle and
bridle falling to the loser. In 1867 prizes were instituted for
the best swordsmen in each troop ; the absolutely best swords-
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 63
man in the regiment, however, was not determined till 1878,
when it was arranged that the troop winners should contest for
a champion prize. Cutting the sword exercise at a gallop was
first practised in 1880, and will probably become a feature of
the annual training, the commanding officer having announced
his intention of presenting a prize to the trooper who is most
proficient in that exercise.
One of the results of the Franco-Prussian war was to
throw a new light on the possibilities of cavalry. While
not depreciating their importance en masse, it has been
found that they are of even greater value while acting as,
what has been aptly termed, the eyes and ears of an army.
Greater attention has consequently been paid of late to the
instruction of cavalry in the principles and practice of
reconnaissance. For this kind of work yeomanry are peculiarly
well fitted; they have an intimate knowledge of their own
district, they are, as a rule, well mounted and able to make
their way across country, and they possess individually an
amount of intelligence which well qualifies them for acting
independently. The Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry have
taken with much enthusiasm to this very important branch of
drill in which they were initiated in 1876. In 1877, a day
was again devoted to this drill, and to make the manoeuvres
more realistic, the rifle volunteers and militia recruits were
good enough to represent an enemy. The "general idea"
which was worked out was as follows: — The regiment was
supposed to have gone southward from Ayr on a foraging
expedition. Eeturning by the Bridge of Doon, at Alloway
they encountered the left wing of a force investing Ayr, and,
repulsed at the bridge, their only way of regaining Ayr was
lower down the river. Colonel C. V. Hamilton-Campbell, in
command of the yeomanry, finding his way barred, moved by
Longhill Avenue, and directed his first squadron upon the low
64 History of the
Bridge of Doon. His orders to Captain Pollok, who com-
manded the squadron, were — "No. 1, Send an orderly to recon-
noitre lower bridge. If held by the enemy, try to force a
passage. If not practicable, keep up as heavy a fire as you
can upon the party there. No. 2, Communicate with me at
Longhill farm, and report proceedings." Captain Pollok, find-
ing the bridge occupied by the enemy, dismounted his even
files, and, lining the hedgerows, directed a heavy fire upon it.
The Colonel's orders to the second squadron, under command
of Captain Adam, were — "No. 1, Proceed by Longhill farm
road ; occupy Doonfoot mill and the adjacent buildings ; line
the left bank of the river, and try to dislodge the enemy from
Gearholm. No. 2, Send E troop as fax as you can venture to
do so towards the right, and take the bridge in flank." These
orders were carried out. The banks of the river were soon lined
by the yeomen, and a damaging fire was kept up on the
enemy, who, upon the opposite bank of tKe river, occupied
Gearholm. Ere long Captain Adam reported that a passage by
the third squadron across the ford might be safely made.
Accordingly the third squadron, under the command of Captain
Kennedy, was pushed forward further to the left, and,
eventually, under cover of the fire of the second squadron,
succeeded in crossing the ford opposite Cunningpark, the tide
being out The enemy, finding their flank turned, retired in
skirmishing order across a field, the road by the Doon side
being commanded by the yeomanry on the opposite bank, and
eventually retreated by Greenfield Avenue. The usual duties
of the patrols and communicating parties were well performed,
and the successful operations of the first, second, and third
squadrons were, on the whole, admirably carried out. The
defending forces were under the command of Colonel Hay
Boyd, and their movements were carefully and well conducted.
A field-day of a somewhat similar description took place in
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 65
1878. The general idea this time was:— That a line of out-
posts be taken up by three squadrons, covering a line between
the Mauchline Eoad and the Maybole line of the Glasgow and
South-Western Railway, facing east, with a view to check the
advance of squadrons from the direction of Dalmellington
endeavouring to force their way into the town. To distinguish
the opposing forces, the invaders wore forage-caps and the
defenders helmets. A squadron, under Captain Adam, was
told off to pierce the defensive line from a distance of five
miles from Ayr, his object being to reconnoitre the ground in
rear of the advanced line of outposts, and to ascertain the force
that was in rear. It was assumed that the position of Ayr
was some four or five miles further in rear of the line, and was
protected by a strong force of all arms. The first squadron,
under Captain Somervell, was placed near to Overmills, protect-
ing the ground extending from the river to the. Mauchline
Eoad, and sending out reconnoitring parties to the front along
that line. The second squadron, under Captain Cooper, was
stationed at Holmston farm, and guarded the ground between
the road and Castlehill mansion-house; while the fourth
squadron, under Captain Patrick, took up the line from Castle-
hill to the railway at Belmont. The attacking squadron (the
third) started from Tarholm Bridge at eleven o'clock, with an
advanced guard, sending out two parties, each consisting of six
men and a sergeant, from the main body — one to Belston and
the other by Knocksoul to Wee Macnairston — with the view
of diverting the attention of the defending force in these
directions ; whilst the main body proceeded by Craighall, past
Auchincruive Kennels, and crossed the river Ayr near to
Mountshaw, about a mile above Overmills, and took the road
on the north side of the river to the back of Craigie mansion-
house, being all the time well hid from view. At Mountshaw,
the first squadron vedettes were surprised, and on reaching
£
66 History of the
Mainholin farm-house their picket was also surprised. The
squadron then continued its onward march, and on coming
upon the supports they overpowered them, and thus achieved
their supposed object, namely, a successful reconnaissance of
the enemy's forces.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 67
CHAPTER VIII.
CARBINE AND RIFLE PRACTICE.
" I now hasten to the last, the panic-striking, soul-subduing moment of
letting the pistols off ! ... I could not hear the captain's ' last words ' as
he rode up the ranks, but his face was expressive, and I flatter myself I have
guessed them pretty accurately, when I give the following as a specimen : —
' My good fellow, when you fire, take both hands.' . . . How shall I describe
that awful moment ! The men sighed, the horses panted, and, at last, with
an internal * Now for it,' pop-pop-pop went the pistols of as many as could
pull their triggers — the horses reared, and pranced, and plunged, and ran
forwards, and fell backwards, and reeled sideways." — Phantasmagoria.
The history of rifle practice in the regiment is of compara-
tively recent date. Armed originally with pistols, no great
degree of proficiency was expected in their use beyond the
sine qua rum of adhering to the saddle after the discharge.
The next step was the introduction of the Brown Bess carbine ;
and with this, as the report was louder, the difficulty of pre-
serving continuity between man and horse was so much the
greater. Efforts, however, began to be made in the direction
of practising on foot, and for many years it was customary to
devote an afternoon during permanent duty to carbine practice
on the sea-shore. The distance was 100 yards, and the target,
with which each troop was furnished, consisted of a slight
framework of wood covered with paper, on which a bull's-eye
was drawn. It need hardly be said that the shooting was
not brilliant ; one day's practice in the course of the year is
not calculated to make marksmen, and the old Brown Bess
took a great deal of holding to go anywhere near the mark.
68 History of the
On one occasion the happy idea occurred to Captain Burnett
of Gadgirth, of hanging an empty bottle over the bull's-eye, so
as to form a ringing bull. No sooner was this thought of than
it was put into execution, and, to encourage his troop, the
generous officer promised half-a-crown to every man who suc-
ceeded in smashing a bottle. Not a little to the astonishment
of the Spectators, and greatly to the satisfaction of the members
of the troop, bottle after bottle fell before their deadly but
hitherto unappreciated aim, till in the end the supply, both of
bottles and half-crowns, was completely exhausted. The ex-
planation of this surprising feat is, that Captain Hamilton-
Campbell, whose troop was practising next to Captain Burnett's,
had provided himself with a deer-stalking rifle, and amused his
idle moments by giving Captain Burnett's bottles a benefit
In 1870 the regiment was armed with the Westley-Bichards
rifled carbine — a weapon possessing a small bore, but labouring
under the disadvantage of a cartridge which does not contain
its own ignition. The introduction of this arm, which has
been in use till the present year, but is now being replaced by
the cavalry Snider carbine, was followed by a new system of
skirmishing drill. Of old, as has been said, it was usual to
skirmish on horseback, and, with horses untrained to fire-arms
as yeomanry horses in those days mostly were, it may be
judged that the practice was not of much practical value ; in
point of fact, the skirmisher's eye was not so much directed at
the supposed enemy in front, as upon some available lock of
mane whereto to cling when the inevitable plunge took place.
Under the new system, the alternate files dismount with
carbines, while their horses are held by the remaining files.
The dismounted skirmishers then advance in extended order,
and fire from the knee or lying-down position. When driven
in, they run back to their horses, and mounting quickly, are
able to shift their ground with a rapidity impossible to foot-
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 69
soldiers. It became evident that under this system greater
attention must be paid to accuracy in firing, and accordingly
arrangements were made for holding annual target practice at
the ranges belonging to the volunteers in the different districts
of the county. The very marked improvement which has
taken place since 1872 in the practice of the troops, individu-
ally and collectively, will be ascertained by referring to a table
of averages to be found in the Appendix. 1 During the spring
and summer of 1875, several of the officers, recognising the
importance of scientific shooting, met frequently at Prestwick
range, near Ayr, and practised themselves in the use of the
carbine. It cannot be said, nor indeed could it be expected,
that their shooting at this early stage was altogether of the
straightest Apropos the author, on one occasion, put up a
target in the vicinity of his residence, and invited Colonel
Hamilton-Campbell to practise with him of an afternoon.
There was no mantlet available, but an old gardener was
stationed behind a knoll about fifty yards from the target, for
the purpose of signalling where the misses went. Doubtless
the practice may have been a little erratic, still both officers
were well satisfied with their performances — a satisfaction,
however, which was destined ere long to be rudely shaken,
for, on returning homewards by way of the stables, they
observed their quondam marker holding forth to an apparently
appreciative audience, and, on passing within earshot, they
caught the concluding remark, evidently a summary of what
had gone before, viz., " I reckon I might ha* sot on the top o*
that target ! "
In August 1875 a match was arranged between four officers
of the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry and an equal number of
the officers of the Eoyal Ayr and Wigton Militia, the condi-
tions being ten rounds at 200, 300, and 400 yards, five rounds
1 Appendix, p. 83.
70 History of the
to be fired with the weapon belonging to their respective corps,
and five rounds with weapons exchanged. The match came off
at Monkton, and, curiously enough, the Ayrshire Yeomanry
Cavalry defeated their opponents with the " Snider," while the
Militia, on the other hand, had the best of it with the carbine ;
the result on the whole being in favour of the Yeomanry by
seven points. 1 The establishment of a Rifle Association in
Ayrshire during 1875, gave an additional impetus to shooting
as well among the Yeomanry as among the Volunteers, the
competitions being open to both of these branches of the
Reserve Forces. In addition to the ordinary competitions at
such meetings, a set of prizes is offered for a contest similar in
character to that which is well known as the " Loyd-Lindsay "
competition at Wimbledon. The success of this event was
from the first assured, and as a training both for men and
horses it is of the highest value. The officers, too, who are
always anxious to set an example in such matters, subscribed
for a challenge cup, which they compete for annually at the
same time and under similar conditions. In the ordinary com-
petitions at this meeting the Yeomanry take their own part
with their brethren of the Volunteers, the Snider rifle being
generally used by them in preference to the Westley-Richards
Militia.
Snider.
Carbine.
Total.
Captain Riddell-Carre,
34
32
66
Captain Whigham, .
25
29
54
Captain Morton,
37
43
80
Captain Maitland, . .
29
17
46
125
121
246
YXOMAXRY.
Colonel Hamilton-Campbell, .
13
35
48
Captain Kennedy, .
49
15
64
Captain Cooper,
37
41
78
lieutenant Kerr,
35
28
63
134
119
253
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 71
carbine. Far example, in the 200 yards competition of 1880,
Captain Cooper secured first place with the highest possible
score of 35 ; Sergeants Spier and Stevenson had 32 points each ;
while Private Eagleaham and Quartermaster-Sergeant Meikle
also obtained places in the prize-list with 31 and 30 points
respectively.
Encouraged by the success of their own local Loyd-Lindsay
competition, the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry have on several
occasions sent forth teams to try conclusions with other corps.
In September 1874, a squad composed of Corporal Hutchinson,
A troop, and Corporal Steele and Privates Gilbert Steele and
Spiers, B troop, proceeded to Melrose to take part in the
mounted competition of the Border Rifle Association. Three
squads of the Border Mounted Rifles competed with the Ayr-
shire team, and for different reasons the whole of the squads,
with the exception of one of the Border Mounted, were
disqualified. The Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry failed in com-
pleting the course in the specified time, an accident which was
due partly to Hutchinson's saddle slipping round at the first
hurdle, and partly to the unsteadiness of Gilbert Steele's horse,
which delayed him while mounting at the last firing-point.
In 1879 two teams were despatched to Wimbledon to take
part in the champion contest The first squad was composed
of Sergeant Wyllie, F troop, and Privates Spier, Walker, and
M'Kerrow, B troop ; and the second of Sergeant Hunter and
Corporal Hutchinson, A troop, and Corporals Steele and
Hastings, B. troop. The conditions were : To ride over a course
of three-quarters of a mile, taking two flights of hurdles in the
course, and dismounting and firing five rounds at 500 and 600
yards; the time allowed to complete the course being ten
minutes, and a deduction of five points being made for each
half-minute over this time. Thirteen squads competed, and
the way was shown by the first squad Ayrshire Yeomanry
72 History of the
Cavalry, who went over the ground in dashing style, and
finished eight seconds within the specified time; they were,
however, somewhat unfortunate at the firing-points. The
second Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry squad started at too great
a pace, and considerably over-rode the 500 yards firing-point
before they could pull up ; and on the return journey two of
their horses bolted, which was quite sufficient to extinguish
any chance they might otherwise have possessed. The first
squad Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry finished sixth — just outside
the prize list. 1
In no way disheartened by their previous want of success,
next year (1880) two squads again appeared at Wimbledon to
do battle for the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry ; the first squad
consisting of the old team, viz., Sergeant Wyllie, F troop, and
Privates Spier, Walker, and M'Kerrow, B troop; and the
second comprising Corporal Hutchinson, A troop, Corporal
Hastings, B troop, and Corporals Steel and Wilson, C troop.
The first squad was mounted on as good-looking a lot of horses
as appeared on the field, and they cleared the hurdles in grand
style. At the targets, however, two members of the team were
unfortunate, for while at the short range Wyllie and Spier put
on every bullet, the other pair had but one hit out of their ten
rounds ; at the long range the shooting was somewhat better,
the first pair hitting the target six times and the others eight
times. In the ride home they got a magnificent reception
from the spectators. The second squad also met with unequal
Time.
Score.
Deduct.
Total.
1 1. Royal Devon,
11.10
78
15
63
2. Royal Bucks,
9.40
61
• • •
61
3. Warwickshire,
11.13
72
15
57
4. Leicestershire,
9.55
42
...
42
5. Oxfordshire, .
11.31
61
20
41
Ayrshire (No. 1), .
9.52
41
• • •
41
Ayrshire (No. 2), „
12.4
41
35
6
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 73
fortune at the targets, for while Hutchinson and Steel had
sixteen hits out of twenty rounds, the other pair had but one
hit between them. Unfortunately, on the journey to the long
range, Steel lost his cap, and, owing to the pace at which his
horse was going, he was unable to pull up and recover it
without considerable delay, which of course affected the others,
who were not at liberty to dismount till he had reached the
firing-point; in this way the time allowed was considerably
exceeded. In summing up the results it was found that the
first squad Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry had gained the second
place, and were therefore entitled to the handsome prize of
£30, while the second squad were placed sixth, occupying the
same position which was held by the first squad in 1879. 1
There is an old story of a colonel of cavalry, who, when
asked before a commission what he would do with his carbines
when going into action, replied that he would chuck them into
the nearest horse-pond. Few cavalry officers of the present
day would be prepared to indorse that opinion; and if the
carbine be of value to the trained cavalry soldier, of how
much more importance is it to an irregular body such as the
yeomanry? In the recent and disastrous campaign in the
Transvaal, the success of the Boers proved the great value of
irregular troops skilled in the use of the rifle, and trained to
take advantage of cover. But the rifle or carbine is in itself a
useless weapon unless well handled, and to excel in this is
an object of ambition among the members of the Ayrshire
Yjeomanry Cavalry, for they hold the opinion that a yeoman
has no raison dt&trt unless he is a good average shot.
Time.
500
000
Total.
Deduct.
Total
1 1. Bucks (No. 2), .
10.38
45
27
72
10
62
2. Ayrshire (No. 1),
11.23
30
33
63
15
48
3. Bucks (No. 1), <•
10.32
31
23
54
10
44
Ayrshire (No. 2),
13.0
21
26
47
30
17
74
History of the
APPENDIX.
MUSTER-EOLL, 1803.
To the Eight Honourable the Earl of Eglinton, His
Majesty's Lieutenant for the County of Ayr.
Muster Boll of the Persons enrolled and serving in the Troop of
Ayrshire Gentlemen and Yeomanry Cavalry commanded by Richard
Alexander Oswald.
No.
1
Parish.
Name.
When Enrolled.
St. Quivox, .
Eichd. Alexr. Oswald, .
September 1802.
2
Maybole,
Geo. Vanburgh Brown,
Do.
3
Monkton,
Alexr. Gairdner, .
Do.
4
Ayr, .
John Ghalmer, .
Do.
5
V
William Gairdner,
Do.
6
M
James Dunlop, .
Do.
7
99
William Murdoch,
Do.
8
Coilton,
James M'Fadzean,
Do.
9
»
Eobert Wilson, .
Do.
10
Daliymple, .
John Hutchison, .
Do.
11
»
Andrew Muir,
Do.
12
»
Peter Galbraith, .
Do.
13
99
William Kilpatrick,
Do.
H
Girvan,
John Nicholson, *
Do.
15
Kirkoswald, .
William Caldwell,
Do.
16
»
William Bryce, .
Do.
17
99
James M'Water, .
Do.
18
»
George Neilson, .
Do.
19
99
William Brakenridge, .
Do.
20
99
John Allison,
Do.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
75
Muster-Roll — contvrmed.
No.
21
Parish.
Name.
When Enrolled.
Kirkoswald, .
Thomas M'Crakan,
September 1802.
22
n
John M'Rorie, jun.,
Do.
23
»
Robert Eaglesham,
Do.
24
n
William Gray,
Do.
25
99
James Brakenridge,
Do.
26
Kirkmichael,
William Henderson, .
Do.
27
»
James M'Lymont,
Do.
28
99
Adam Gray,
Do.
29
99
George Ronaldson,
Do.
30
M
John Dick, .
Do.
31
99
Thomas Henderson,
Do.
32
»
John Ronald,
Do.
33
W
James Meikle,
Do.
34
Maybole,
James Lockhart, .
Do.
35
99
Thomas Campbell,
Do.
36
»
John Hamilton, .
Do.
37
>»
George Reid,
Do.
38
»
Alexander Cameron, .
Do.
39
»
John Kennedy, .
Do.
40
Ochiltree,
John Samson, .
Do.
41
w
James Sloan,
Do.
42
Straiton, * .
John Logan,
Do.
43
»
William Hunter,
Do.
44
St. Quivox, .
Andrew Hendrie,
Do.
45
»
James Walker, .
Do.
46
9)
John Hendrie, .
Do.
47
»
John Gairdner, .
Do.
48
Torbolton, .
John Dick,
Do.
Total number in the Troop exempt from serving in the
Militia, 48.
I, Richard Alexander Oswald, commanding-officer of the Ayr-
shire Gentlemen and Yeomanry Cavalry, do hereby certify upon
my honour, in pursuance of an Act of Parliament passed in the
forty-second year of his present Majesty's reign, intituled, "An
Act to enable his Majesty to avail himself of the offers of certain
76 History of the
Yeomanry and Volunteer Corps to continue their services," that
I have not inserted or caused to be inserted in the above Muster-
Koll, containing forty-eight names, the name of any person who
has not duly attended at the muster of said corps five days at the
least in the course of the year next preceding the date hereof.
Kichd. Alexr. Oswald, CapL-CommandarU.
Dated the 9th day of May 1803.
» 99
91 >»
9 »
19 »
£4
4
5
6
2
1
2
2
i
1
6
L
8
6
1
6
OFFICERS OUTFIT, 1804.
From Accounts belonging to Cornet William Campbell
of Netherplace.
Saddlery.
1804, February. A military saddle,
A breastplate,
A plated military bridle,
A pair holsters and black bearskin
flounce,
A pair straps to do.,
June (At Hamilton.) 1 collar with plated
ring and buckles,
„ „ Front and roses for bridle,
Uniform.
„ March. 1 long crimson silk sash, . £3
„ „ Cavalry helmet, leopard skin turban,
2 silver tassels, etc., .
„ „ 1 white hackle feather, .
„ „ 1 wooden box, .
„ , April. A pair fine white doeskin breeches,
„ „ Paid James Telfer's trustee for cavalry
uniform (not detailed),
1806, January. 1 pair blue pantaloons, .
Note. — Andrew Mitchell, veterinary surgeon, appears to have
acted as drill-sergeant to the 2d troop ; for, on 26th May 1804, Mr.
Campbell pays him a sum of £1, 6s. "for drilling, etc.," being
probably a remuneration for preliminary instruction.
3 13
6
10
6
2
6
2 8
8 14
3
1 12
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
8 -l
5<S
fl
i
1
§•5
p.-
P
II
11
1
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78 History of the
COURT-MARTIAL, 1819.
Headquarters, Ayr, 24dh July 1819.
Proceedings of a regimental court-martial held by order of
Lieutenant-Colonel Bos well, commanding the First Corps of Ayrshire
Yeomanry Cavalry, for the trial of such persons as may be brought
before it.
Members. — Major Crawfurd, President ; Captain Montgomerie,
Captain Campbell, Lieutenant Whiteside, and Cornet Hamilton.
The President and members having been duly sworn, proceeded
to the trial of David M'Naught, trumpeter, for neglect of duty.
Evidence. — William Cuthbertson, being duly sworn, informs the
Court that the prisoner was extremely remiss in his attendance at
practice, sometimes being absent a fortnight at a time, contrary to
orders delivered to him.
John Grant, being duly sworn, informs the Court that the
prisoner has frequently been absent from practice, but he always
understood it was owing to some of his ordinary avocations, and
that he never knew him intentionally absent when it was in his
power to attend ; that he appeared anxious to make up his lost time.
Alexander Cameron, sergeant-major, being duly sworn, informs
the Court that the prisoner had Colonel Boswell's leave to be
absent from practice when he had occasion to go to the country on
his master's employment, as he had bound himself as an apprentice
after he was attested, but he had agreed to make up the lost time
by double practice on his return.
John Grant, being after called in and examined, and asked by
the prisoner if ever he knew him absent six weeks from practice at
a time, states to the best of his recollection that Cuthbertson gave
them leave for a month, but he never remembers the prisoner
absent six weeks at a time.
John Cuthbertson, being duly sworn, informs the Court that
he has known the prisoner absent from practice during the regular
nights of practice when he was in town, and he is positive he has
seen him twice in town when he did not attend ; that he has
known the prisoner often come to his father's house to practise
when his father was absent, and sometimes practise eight days at
a time to make up his lost days of practice.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
79
Defence, — The prisoner being put upon his defence, denies the
crime laid to his charge, with the exception of one of the nights
mentioned by the last evidence ; that he was frequently absent on
his master's business with the leave of Colonel Boswell, but he
made up that time sufficiently by extra attendance.
Sentence. — The Court having materially considered the evidence
for and against the prisoner, are of opinion that he is guilty of the
crime laid to his charge, but as there are circumstances of con-
siderable extenuation in his case, adjudge him only to be
reprimanded, and was reprimanded accordingly.
R. Crawfurd, Major, A. Y. C,
President.
NORTH AYRSHIRE YEOMEN IN 1831.
The following yeomen were, on 3d August 1831, put under
the charge of Captain Hunter, who was to fix the time and place
for private drills, and also the place of rendezvous at which they
should assemble, when called out on duty, instead of repairing to
their respective troops : —
2d TROOP.
2d TROOP— continued
Names.
Parish.
Names.
Parish.
William Faulds,
Dairy.
William Orr,
Dreghorn.
William Orr,
Stevenston.
John Dunlop,
Do.
John Smith,
Kilmaurs.
Robert Sibbald, .
Do.
John Wilson,
Do.
James Douglas, .
Kilwinning.
James Templeton,
Do.
James Dinning, .
Stewarton.
James Dickie, .
Do.
David Muir,
Robert Kerr,
Dreghorn.
Do.
3d TROOP
William Weir, .
Do.
William Bell, .
Largs.
John Cowan,
Do.
Andrew Miller, .
Do.
Alexander Orr, .
Do.
Sergt. D. Cunningham,
Kilbride.
William Dunlop,
Do.
John Henry,
Do.
Robert Spiers, .
Do.
Adam Wallace, .
Do.
John Orr, .
Do.
William Malcolm,
Do.
8o
History of the
3d TROOP— continued.
4th TROOP— continued.
Names.
Parish.
Names.
Parish.
John Wilson,
Kilbride.
James Stewart, .
Irvine.
H. Crawford,
Do.
James Cunningham, .
Do.
William Boyd, .
Do.
James M*Latchie,
Do.
John Caldwell, .
Do.
Robert Dunlop, .
Do.
William Caldwell,
Do.
Francis Murray,
Dundonald.
Robert Kerr,
Do.
William Clark, .
Do.
William Simpson, 2d,
Do.
David Stevenston,
1 Do.
William Simpson, 1st,
Do.
Corporal William Orr,
Dreghorn.
William Miller, .
Do.
Gabriel Drennan,
Do.
Thomas Miller, .
Do.
Thomas Crichton,
Do.
John Muir,
Do. I
James Hunter, .
Do.
H. Miller, .
Do.
John Kerr, .
Do.
Robert King,
Do.
David Gibson, .
Kilmaurs.
Thomas Niell, .
Do.
James Craig,
William Motion,
Do.
Do.
6th TROOP.
Thomas Pollock,
Do.
David Wilson, .
Beith.
Hugh Workman,
Do.
James Kennedy,
Do.
R. Hunter,
Ardrossan.
John Love,
Do.
Andrew Taylor, .
Do.
John Miller,
Do.
Andrew Kirkwood,
Do.
David Craig, • .
Do.
William Kirkwood,
Do.
James Caldow, .
Do.
P. M'Kinnon,
Do.
Sergeant H. Kerr,
Dairy.
Robert Hill,
Do.
John Kerr,
Do.
Andrew Clark, .
Do.
David Kirkwood,
Do.
Allan Spier,
i Do.
William Crawford,
Do.
William Dickie, .
Do.
James Patrick,
Do.
William Kidd, .
Do.
David Reid,
Do.
Corporal Wm. Craig, .
Dairy.
William Fergusson, .
Do.
John Spier,
Do.
James Kerr,
Do.
Robert Barclay, .
Do.
H. Ramsay,
Do.
Robert Kirkwood,
Do.
John Lamont,
Do.
Robert Paton,
Do.
John Longwell, .
Do.
James Dickie,
Stevenston.
William Caldow,
Kilwinning.
John M'Millan, .
Do.
Alexander Gait, .
Do.
Hugh Chalmers, .
Do.
Corporal Robert Howie,
Do.
Alexander Boyd,
Do.
Thomas Gibson,
Do.
Cornet Jas. Macalester,
(Kennox.)
Robert Doak,
Do.
Robert Paton, 2d,
Kilbirnie.
William Kidd, .
Do.
John Miller,
Do.
4th TROO
P.
D. Gray, .
James Anderson,
Do.
Stewarton.
David Shedden,
Kilwinning.
Alexander Craig,
Do.
Walter Smith, .
Do.
Robert Hamilton,
Dreghorn.
Corpl. W. Cunningham,
Irvine.
Alexander Orr, .
Stevenston.
William Niell, .
Do.
Cornet A. Cunningham,
Kilmaurs.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
81
2d TROOP ROLL, 1836.
A Troop Roll of the 2d Troop of Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry,
llth July 1836.
Quartermaster J. Murdoch.
Sergeant James Clark. 1
Sergeant Wm. Reynolds.
Sergeant James Weir.
5 Sergeant James Dain.
Corporal John Crichton.
Corporal John Orr.
Trumpeter John Grant.
Privates Wm. Anderson.
10 Robt. Allen.
Alexr. Arthur.
John Arthur.
William Arthur.
James Baird.
15 Robt. Baird, resigned.
John Bell.
John Black.
David Brown.
Hugh Brown.
20 Robt. Barr.
David Barclay.
James Boyd.
Adam Begg.
Frederick Crichton.
25 James Crichton, for Yallance.
Robt. Craig.
James Munro, for R. Craig.
George Cowan.
John Cuthbertson.
30 James Dinning.
John Dickie.
James Douglas.
David Dinning.
John Dunlop.
35 John Dow, band.
Alexr. Faulds.
William Gibson.
James Gardner.
Adam Grieve.
40 Robert Harper.
William Hunter.
William Hood.
James Jack.
James Loudon.
45 Wm. Lymburner.
Wm. M'Kerrow.
Archibald M'Kenzie.
John Murphy.
Wm. M'Kerrow, for Wm.
Hutchison.
50 James M'Lanachan.
John M'Lanachan.
John Murdoch.
James Mitchell.
John Mowan.
55 Thomas Munro.
William Orr.
John Park.
William Peden, resigned.
J. H. Parker.
60 Thomas Riddell.
John Strahorn.
Duncan Robinson.
John Smith, 1st.
John Smith, 2d.
65 James Smith.
James Sloan.
Hugh Sloan.
Robt. Steel.
James Shankland. -
70 Hugh Templeton.
James Templeton, 1st.
1 Drill-Sergeant.
F
82
History of the
James Templeton, 2d.
William Wallace.
Robt. Wallace.
75 David Wilson.
Hugh Wilson.
HughWyllie.
John Wardrop.
Thos. Wardrop.
80 John Young.
OFFICERS' CHALLENGE CUP.
(Racing.)
1855.
1856.
1858.
1859.
1861.
1862.
1863.
1864.
1865.
1866.
1869.
1870.
1871.
1872.
2 1874.
1875.
1876.
8 1877.
1878.
1880.
Won by
Colonel Fairlie's
Captain Burnett's
Captain Burnett's
Captain and Adjutant Calvert's
Lieutenant C. 6. Shaw's
Captain R F. F. Campbell's
Captain C. G. Shaw's
Lieutenant Hunter's
Cornet Cooper's
Captain R. F. F. Campbell's
Cornet Cunninghame's
Lieutenant John F. Patrick's
Lieutenant Cuninghame's
Lieutenant J. Cuninghame's
Lieutenant W. J. Smith Neil's
Captain W. P. Adam's
Captain Cooper's
Captain Cooper's
Captain Cooper's
Lieutenant Finnie's
Lieutenant Finnie's
Revenge.
Blackfoot.
Whitefoot.
Tommy.
The Duke.
Star.
The Duke.
Lubra.
Black Margaret.
Hard Lines.
Reel
Sandy.
Ali-Baba.
Exeter.
Poacher.
Diamond.
Soubrette.
Soubrette.
Rattle.
Mistletoe.
Mistletoe.
1 In a half-mile match this year. Lieutenant John F. Patrick's Hartley
beat Captain Somervell's the Queen.
8 There was no race for the cnp in 1873, bnt a match took place between
Captain Cooper's Friday, 12 st. 111b., and Captain W. R. Patrick's Mabel,
12 st. 41b., which was won by the former.
8 The cup having been won three times in succession, became the property
of Captain Cooper, who returned it to the regiment, and was presented by
his brother officers with a cup as a memento of the occurrence.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
83
OFFICERS' CHALLENGE CUP.
(" Lo yd Lindsay " Competition.)
Won by
1875. Captain W. S. Cooper.
1876. Lieutenant W. D. Russell.
1877. Lieutenant J. Kennedy.
1878. Lieutenant J. Kennedy.
1879. Lieutenant W.^D. Russell.
1880. Lieutenant G. Colvin White.
Statement showing the Average Figure of Merit obtained by
each Troop at Carbine Practice for each of the nine years
1872 to 1880 inclusive.
Troop.
1872.
1873.
1874. j 1875.
1876.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
32-43
36-61
35 62
29-91
3000
27-44
36-22
33-79
A, .
B, .
C, .
D, . .
E, . .
F, .
G, .
H, . .
18-43
17 31
16*66
16-76
1112
13-93
16-59
12-20
13-48
15-97
16-25
23*56
17*15
18-00
14-86
16-47
18-72
24*40
22-81
27*22
21-17
22-22
24-83
18-25
23 09
22-23
26-69
21-48
21-34
20-29
24*22
2366
25-16
24-00
27-07
26-18
23-26
2310
2412
23*09
23-23
30-39
29-85
3100
21-80
23-65
30-11
32*88
33*06
33-68
33-04
32*15
31-60
27-26
36-44
35-66
33-00
34-31
34-00
3209
35-37
3089
38*38
33-55
Average of the *
Regiment, . J
15-37
16-96
22-45
22-87
24-49
27-86
32-86
33-62
32-75
C,
B,
Average for the Nine Years.
. 27-30 H, . . . 25-50
. 26-88 A, . . . 24-51
. 26-70 E, . . . 23-64
. 26-54 F, . . . 22-97
Average of the regiment, .
25-50.
84
History of the
Note. — The practice takes place at 100, 200, and 300 yards,
five rounds at each distance, the position at 100 yards being
"standing," and at 200 and 300 yards, "any." In 1880, the
rectangular bull's-eye and centre, of 2 feet by 1 foot and 4 feet by
2 feet respectively, were discarded in favour of the circular bull's-
eye of 1 foot and centre of 3 feet diameter.
BEST SHOT.
1875, . .
. Corporal Howat, . .
. C Troop.
1876, . .
. Sergeant Wyllie, .
. . F Troop.
1877, . .
. Sergeant Spier, .
. . G Troop.
1878, . .
. Private Wm, Clark, .
. E Troop.
1879, . .
. Sergeant Speir, . .
. . G Troop.
1880, . .
. Q.-M.-S. Meikle, . .
. H Troop.
« LOYD-LINDSAY " COMPE1
ITION.
Score.
1875,
. . . A Troop, .
. . 90
1 1876,
. . . H Troop, .
. . 97
2 1877,
. . . C Troop, .
. . 78
1878,
. . . A Troop, .
. . 69
1879,
. . . C Troop, .
. . 91
8 1880,
. . . E Troop, . ,
. . 34
BEST SWORDSMAN.
1878, . .
Sergeant John Craig,
. H Troop.
1879, . .
Corporal Campbell, . .
. D Troop.
1880, . .
Corporal Borland, . .
. G Troop.
1 An occasion which was rendered memorable by the feat of Q.-M.-S.
Meikle of H Troop, who, after crossing a hurdle at full speed, pulled a falling
comrade hack into his saddle.
2 This year the distances were increased from 200 and 400 yards to 400
and 500 yards.
3 The distances were further increased to 500 and 600 yards.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 85
SUCCESSION LIST OF OFFICERS, AYRSHIRE
YEOMANRY CAVALRY.
Captains Commandant.
Earl of Cassillis, 1793-1801.
Richard Alexander Oswald (of Auchincruive), 1801.
Lieutenant-Colonels Commandant.
Richard Alexander Oswald, 1803-1816.
Sir Alexander Boswell, Bart, (of Auchinleck), 1816-1822. — Captain,
1803; Major 1815.
Robert Crawfurd (of Newfield), late Captain, 7th Hussars, 1822-
1842. — Major, 1816. Served with distinction in Spain.
William Montgomerie (of Annick Lodge), 1842-1846. — Captain,
1817; Major, 1822.
James Fairlie (of Holmes), 1846-1860.— Lieutenant, 1817 ;
Captain, 1818; Major, 1842.
James Ogilvy Fairlie (of Coodham), late 2d Life Guards, 1860-
1869.— Cornet, 1829; Lieutenant, 1831; Captain, 1843.
Earl of Eglinton and Winton, 1869-1871.— Captain, 1862 ; Major,
1865.
John Hamilton (of Sundrum), late E. I. C. Navy, 1871-1872. —
Cornet, 1841; Lieutenant, 1842; Captain, 1856; Major,
1861; Lieutenant-Colonel, 1867. Is a retired Lieutenant-
Colonel, Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
John Reginald Houison-Craufurd (of Craufurdland), late Austrian
Cavalry, 1872-1873.— Cornet, 1842; Lieutenant, 1845;
Captain, 1857; Major, 1867. Is a retired Lieutenant-Colonel,
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
86 History of the
Charles Vereker Hamilton-Campbell (of Netherplace), late Captain,
East Indian Army, 1873; now serving. — Cornet, 1850;
Lieutenant, 1852; Captain, 1859; Major, 1869. War ser-
vices: — Served throughout the Sutlej Campaign in 1845,
including the battles of Moodkee, Ferozeshah (where he
was wounded), and Sobraon : medal and two clasps for 1845.
Also with the army of the Punjab in 1849 ; was present at
Hamnuggur, and also in the actions of Chillianwalla and
Goozerat : medal and two clasps for 1849.
Lieutenant-Colonels.
Sir Charles Lamb, Bart, (of Beauport), 1846-1859. — Lieutenant,
1821; Captain, 1822; Major, 1843.
George James Campbell (of Treesbank), 1859-1867. — Cornet,
1821; Lieutenant, 1828; Captain, 1842; Major, 1855.
Majors.
George James Campbell (of Treesbank), 1805-1815. — Capt., 1803.
Sir James Boswell, Bart, (of Auchinleck), 1846-1855. — Cornet,
1824; Lieutenant, 1828; Captain, 1842.
Eichard Frederick Fothringham Campbell (of Craigie), late Captain,
8th Madras Cavalry, 1873; now serving. — Cornet, 1859;
Captain, 1862. War services: — Served on the staff during
the Indian Mutiny in 1857-8; was orderly officer of the
2d Cavalry Brigade, and Aide-de-Camp to # the General com-
manding at Cawnpore; present at the taking of Lucknow,
and in various engagements before and after that event.
Captains.
W. Cunninghame (of Enterkine), 1803-1811.
Alexander Oswald, 1806-1815. — Lieutenant, 1804.
Alexander Gairdner (of Ladykirk), 1816. — Lieutenant, 1804.
John Taylor (of Blackhouse), 1811. — Lieutenant, 1808.
David Limond (of Dalblair), 1815-1817.— Cornet, 1811.
A. C. B. Craufurd (of Ardmillan), 1815-1817.
Eobert Cunyngham (of Cloncaird, 1817-1821.
W. G. Campbell (of Fairfield), 1817-1828.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 87
Richard Oswald (yr. of Auchincruive), 1820-1834.
Sir Charles D. Fergusson, Bart, (of Kilkerran), 1821-1842.—
Lieutenant, 1821.
John Hamilton, late Captain, 2d Ayrshire Yeomanry, 1828-1829.
Marquis of Hastings, 1828-1842.
Earl of Eglinton, 1828-1842.— Cornet, 1828.
James Campbell (of Craigie), 1834-1842. Lieutenant, 1817.
Robert Hunter (of Hunterston), late Captain, 2d Ayrshire Yeomanry,
1842-1858.— Lieutenant and Captain, 1829.
Marquis of Ailsa, 1842-1852.
Patrick Boyle (of Shewalton), 1842-1856.— Cornet, 1828; Lieu-
tenant, 1831.
Charles Lamb, 1846-1848.— Cornet, 1831 ; Lieutenant, 1834.
Thomas Smith-Cuninghame (of Caprington), 1848-1857. — Cornet,
1834 ; Lieutenant, 1842.
J. Joseph Burnett (of Gadgirth), 1852-1861.— Cornet, 1834;
Lieutenant, 1842..
R Robertson Glasgow (of Montgreenan), 1855-1860.— Cornet,
1837; Lieutenant, 1842.
Robert Gairdner, 1859-1865.— Cornet, 1845; Lieutenant, 1846.
Hugh Hamilton (of Pinmore), late 1st Dragoon Guards, 1861-
1865. — Lieutenant, 1855.
William Lang (of Groatholm), 1861-1868.— Lieutenant, 1855.
Charles G. Shaw, 1861-1875.— Cornet, 1854; Lieutenant, 1857.
Retired with permission to retain his rank and to wear the
uniform of the regiment.
W. P. Adam (of Tour), 1865; now serving. — Cornet, 1857;
Lieutenant, 1859.
R M. Pollok (of Middleton), P.S., 1865 ; now serving. — Cornet,
1857; Lieutenant, 1859.
John Bell (of Enterkine), 1865-1872.— Cornet, 1859 ; Lieut., 1860.
Evan Allan Hunter, 1867-1871.— Cornet, 1861 ; Lieut., 1862.
James Somervell (yr. of Sorn), p. f 1868; now serving. — Cornet,
1861; Lieutenant, 1864.
Thomas Mure Mure (of Perceton), p., 1869-1876.— Cornet, 1861 ;
Lieutenant, 1865. Killed in the railway accident at Abbot's
Ripton, January 1876.
88 History of the
W. Ralston Patrick (of Trearne), 1871 ; now serving. — Cornet,
1861 ; Lieutenant, 1865.
F. T. R Kennedy (of Dunure),^?., 1873; now serving. — Cornet,
1863; Lieutenant, 1867.
J. F. Patrick (of Grangehill), /?., 1873 ; now serving. — Cornet,
1862; Lieutenant, 1865.
W. S. Cooper (of Failford), p., 1875 ; now serving. — Cornet, 1863 ;
Lieutenant, 1867.
R. Douglas Murdoch, ^.s., 1876; now serving. — Cornet, 1865;
Lieutenant, 1871.
Note, — The letters p.8. after an officer's name denote that he has passed
the school of instruction ; the letter p. that he has attended a regiment of
cavalry, and obtained a certificate of proficiency.
Lieutenants.
George Chalmer, 1804.
Thomas Miller (son of Lord Glenlee), 1811.— Cornet, 1804.
Richard Campbell, 1808. — Cornet, 1804.
Philip Whiteside, 1811-1817.— Cornet, 1804.
George Taylor (of Blackhouse), 1811.— Cornet, 1808.
William Campbell, 1817.— Cornet, 1815.
John Miller (son of Lord Glenlee), 1817. — Cornet, 1815.
William Whiteside, 1817-1829. — Cornet, 1815. Appointed
Surgeon.
John Campbell (of Sornbeg), 1818. — Cornet, 1817.
Charles D. Gairdner, 1818-1821.
Alexander Hamilton (of the Castle, Mauchline), 1824-1828. —
Cornet, 1818.
Hugh Cowan, 1824-1829.
P. W. Kennedy, 1829-1837.— Cornet, 1825.
David Campbell, 1831-1837.
Sir Alex. Montgomery Cuninghame, Bart, (of Corsehill), 1831-
1842.— Cornet, 1824.
William Hamilton, 1831-1845.— Cornet, 1828.
Robert Duncan Fergusson, 1831. — Cornet, 1831.
John Gray Farquhar (yr. of Gilmilnscroft), 1831-1834. — Cornet,
1831.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 89
J. Stuart Hay (afterwards of Newton), 1837-1842.— Cornet, 1831.
Sir John Cathcart, Bart (of Carleton), 1837-1853.
Robert Fergusson, 1842-1844.
Alexander Oswald, 1842-1846.
J. Douglas Boswell (of Garallan), 1842-1846.— Cornet, 1834.
Patrick Warner (of Ardeer), 1844-1854.— Cornet, 1841.
Hon. John Kennedy, 1845-1846. — Cornet, 1842.
William Cochran Patrick (of Ladyland), 1846-1858.— Cornet, 1842.
George Montgomerie Cuninghame (of Barbieston), 1846-1854.
Henry Hughes Onslow (of Balkissock), 1846-1849. — Cornet, 1843.
Archibald Cuninghame (of Thorntoun), 1848-1854.— Cornet, 1846.
Walter Ferrier Hamilton (of Cairnhill), late 83d Foot, 1852-1870.
—Cornet, 1847.
R. P. Paterson (yr. of Montgomerie), 1853-1862.— Cornet, 1850.
Archibald Finnie, 1854-1861.— Cornet, 1852.
W. A. Orr Paterson, 1854-1864.— Cornet, 1852.
Sir James Fergusson, Bart, (of Kilkerran), late Dragoon Guards,
1855-1861.— Cornet, 1852.
John Spier, 1856-1858.— Cornet, 1854.
Claud Alexander (of Ballochmyle), Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel
Grenadier Guards, 1859-1864.— Cornet, 1856.
John Crichton (of Linn), 1859-1867.— Cornet, 1856.
Lord Rendlesham, 1865-1870.— Cornet, 1862.
William M. Alexander, 1868-1869.— Cornet, 1864.
William Smith Neill (of Swindridgemuir), late 2d Captain Royal
Artillery, 1869-1875.— Cornet, 1865.
John Cuninghame, 1869-1876. — Cornet, 1865.
Richard Kerr (of Cunninghamhead), p.s., 1871; now serving. —
Cornet, 1865.
Charles Cuningham (yr. of Fairlie), 1871-1875. — Cornet, 1867.
Arthur W. Ball, late Lieutenant, 8th Hussars, 1873-1874. — Cornet,
1870.
John A. Smith Cuninghame (yr. of Caprington), p., 1873-1876. —
Cornet, 1871.
John Kennedy (yr. of Underwood), 1873; now serving. — Cornet,
1872.
John C. C. Hamilton (yr. of Sundrum), 1873-1875.
90 History of the
Archibald Finnie (of Springhill), p., 1873 ; now serving.
William D. Eussell (of Maulside), p.s. 9 1875 ; now serving.
Henry Houlds worth (p.s.), 1875 ; now serving.
William S. Wilson (p.s.) 9 1875; now serving.
Leveson G. Campbell (yr. of Fairfield), p.s., 1876 ; now serving.
Second Lieutenants.
John C. C. Hamilton (yr. of Sundrum), 1880 ; now serving.
George Colvin White, 1880; now serving.
Cornets.
— Hamilton, 1804.
William Campbell (of Netherplace), 1804-1808.
Elias Cathcart (of Auchendrane), 1817-1821.
William Cowan, 1817-1821.
John Crawford, 1818.
Spencer Boyd (of Penkill), 1822-1824.
W. Ingleby Campbell (yr. of Fairfield), 1829-1831.
John Buchanan, 1831-1837.
James Macalester (of Kennox), 1831-1841.
William Gordon (of Milrig), 1837-1839.
George Bogle (of Kosemount), 1839-1841.
W. Allison Cuningham, 1842.
Leveson Granville Campbell (of Fairfield), 1845-1847.
Andrew Cathcart (Carleton), 1847-1855.
Lord F. Kennedy, 1848-1850.
Lord N. Kennedy, 1849-1850.
William H. Dunlop (of Annanhill), 1850-1855.
Robert S. Patrick, 1859-1861,
Patrick Warner (of Ardeer), 1861-1863.
George Dykes, 1864-1869.
Richard Alexander Oswald (of Auctiincruive), 1869-1870.
Frederick Gordon Blair (yr. of Blair), 1869-1875.
Adjutants.
William Allison Smith, hie 7th Hussars, 1807.
Augustus Bressan Calvert, late 2d Dragoon Guards, 1844.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 91
Edward Phillips, late Major, 8th Dragoons, 1861,
John Lorn Stewart, Brevet-Major, 18th Hussars, 1873.
J. F. Stuart Menteth, Captain, 2d Dragoon Guards, 1878; now
serving.
Chaplains.
Rev. Dr. M'Quhae, 1822.
Rev. D. Campbell, 1824.
Rev. Dr. M*Leod, 1825.
Rev. J. C. Jamieson, 1844.
Surgeons.
P. Whiteside, 1804.
William Whiteside, 1829-1862.— Cornet, 1815.
J. Campbell Haldane, 1862. — Assistant-Surgeon, 1859.
John Ronald, 1872.
William J. Naismith, 1877 ; now serving.
Assistant Surgeon.
James Lindsay Crawford, 1849.
Veterinary Surgeons.
William Aitken, 1836.
James Dickie, 1876; now serving.
OMITTED.
Lieutenants.
Hon. G. F. Boyle (Earl of Glasgow), 1850-1852.— Cornet, 1847.
G. J. Campbell (yr. of Treesbank), 1852-1854.— Cornet, 1847.
92 History of the
SUCCESSION LIST OF OFFICERS,
2d or CUNNINGHAM AND CUMNOCK REGIMENT.
(1817—1827.)
Commandants.
W. H. Craiifurd (of Craufurdland), Major-Commandant, 1817-
1819.
John Ferrier Hamilton (of Cairnhill), late Captain, 3d Dragoon
Guards. — Major- Commandant, 1819 ; Lieutenant-Colonel,
1821-1827. — Served through the Peninsular campaign, for
which he received a war medal and three clasps.
Major.
John Logan (of Knockshinnock), 1821-1827.— Captain, 1817.
Captains.
David Limond, late Captain, Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry, 1817.
A C. B. Craufurd, late Captain, Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry, 1817-
1823.
John Hamilton, 1820-1827.
Hugh Brown (of Broadstone), 1820-1827. — Lieutenant, 1817.
Claud Alexander (of Ballochmyle), 1820-1827.
Andrew Hunter (of Doonholm), 1821-1827.
James Dunlop (of Annanhill), 1823-1827.— Lieutenant, 1817.
Robert Hunter (of Hunterston), 1827.
Lieutenants.
David Shaw, 1817-1825.
Thomas Ranken (of Glenlogan), 1820-1824.— Cornet, 1817.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry. 93
William Dunlop (Annanhill), 1820-1827.
William Campbell (of Netherplace), late Ayrshire Yeomanry
Cavalry, 1820-1825.
James Caldwell (of Milton), 1823-1827.— Cornei, 1817.
Charles D. Gardner, late Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry, 1825-1827.
George Douglas (of Rodinghead), 1825-1827.— Cornet, 1824.
Adam Crichton, 1825-1827.— Cornet, 1818.
Cornets.
Patrick M'Glashan, 1817.
George Ranken (Glenlogan), 1820-1821.
Alexander Aird (of Crossflat), 1821-1827.
Boyd Alexander, 1821-1827.
Alexander Greenshields (of Kerse), 1823-1827.
Martin Thomas Paterson, 1824-1827.
John White (Kameshill), 1825-1827.
Chaplain.
Rev. Dr. Stirling (of Craigie), 1821-1827.
Surgeons.
William Donaldson, 1817-1824; appointed to Royal Ayrshire
Militia.
John Richmond, 1824-1827.
94
History of t lie
AYRSHIRE YEOMANRY CAVALRY.
Nominal Roll of Staff, 1st July 1880.
Rank and Name.
Residence.
Lieut.-Col. \
Command- >
ant, )
Major, .
Adjutant — \
Captain, )
Surgeon,
Vet.-Surgeon,
1
Hamilton Campbell, C. V., .
Campbell, R. P. F.,
Menteth, J. F. S.,
Naismith, W. J.,
Netherplace, Mauchline.
Craigie House, Ayr.
Savoy Cottage, Ayr.
AUoway Place, Ayr.
High Street, Ayr.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
95
Nominal Eoll op " A," or Captain P. T. B. Kennedy's Troop,
1st July 1880.
No.
1
Rank and Name.
Pariah.
Captain,
Kennedy, P. T. R., .
Dalquharran, Maybole.
2
Lieut.,
Wilson, W. S.,
Riverston, Ayr.
3
Qr.-M.,
Campbell, H., .
Maybole.
4
T.-S.-M.,
iRiddle, J.,
Do.
5
Sergeant,
Headley, J., .
#
Girvan.
6
»>
Hunter, R.,
Ayr.
7
»
Ronald, C,
Maybole.
8
Corporal,
Gilmour, W., .
Barr.
9
tt
Hutchinson, J.,
Maybole.
10
»»
Hannah, J.,
Ayr.
11
Private,
Anderson, J., .
Patna.
12
»
Anderson, H., .
Maybole.
13
»»
Anderson, J., .
Do.
14
»t
Adams, J.,
Ayr.
15
»>
Allen, W.,
Ballantrae.
16
»>
Alston, J.,
Maybole.
17
it
Brisbane, W., .
Do.
18
»»
Campbell, J., .
Do.
19
Lc.-Corp.,
Dunn, W.,
, Kirkmichael.
20
Private,
Douglas, H., .
Maybole.
21
»»
Eaglesham, J.,
Do.
22
it
Fulton, J.,
Do.
23
tt
Garrand, W., .
Kirkmichael.
24
it
Gibson, J.,
Do.
25
Lc-Corp.,
Harper, R.,
Maybole.
26
Private,
Henderson, J.,
Do.
27
»»
Hunter, A.,
Do.
28
tt
Hutchinson, R.,
Do.
29
*i
Logan, R.,
Kirkmichael.
30
tt
Murchie, H., .
Dalrymple.
31
tt
Muir, J.,
Maybole.
32
»*
M'Culloch, H.,
Patna.
33
tt
M'Murray, J.,
Do.
34
Lc-Corp.,
Nevin, R.,
Maybole.
35
Private,
Pollock, J.,
Patna.
36
»>
Robson, J.,
Ayr.
37
tt
Ronald, C,
» •
Maybole.
38
Lc.-Corp.,
Smith, J.,
Do.
39
Private,
Shaw, J.,
Do.
40
tt
Templeton, J.,
Patna.
41
tt
WyUe, W., .
Maybole.
42
»»
WyUe, P.,
Do.
43
tt
Wright, D., .
Do.
i From 2d Dragoons (Scots OreysX 1st May 1879.
9 6
History of the
Nominal Roll of " B," or Captain J. F. Patrick's Troop,
1st July 1880.
No.
1
Rank and Name.
Parish.
Captain,
Patrick, J. F.,
Grangehill, Beith.
2
Lieut.,
Kennedy, J., .
Underwood, Kilmarnock.
3
»>
Houlds worth, H.,
Carrick House, Ayr.
4
Qr.-Mr.,
M'Murtrie, J.,
Ayr.
5
R. S.-M.,
^ope, E. H., .
Do.
6
Sergeant,
Baird, J.,
Do.
7
»
Reide, J.,
St. Quivox.
8
>»
M'Cartney, G.,
Stair.
9
Corporal,
Brackenridge, J.,
Dalrymple.
10
»>
Kay, W.,
St. Quivox.
11
»»
Steele, J.,
Ayr.
12
Private,
Anderson, J., .
St. Quivox.
13
»»
Baird, J.,
Ayr.
14
»»
Blair, J.,
Dalrymple.
15
»»
Bone, W.,
St. Quivox.
16
»
Brackenridge, J.,
Ayr.
17
»»
Conkie, J.,
Do.
18
»»
Cathcart, J., .
Monk ton.
19
»»
Caldwell, R., .
St. Quivox.
20
Lc.-Corp.,
Cunningham, T.,
Do.
21
»
Davidson, H.,
Ayr.
22
Private,
Duncan, J.,
St. Quivox.
23
»»
Findlayson, J.,
Ayr.
24
a
Gerrand, W., .
Dalrymple.
25
»»
Gemmell, A., .
Ayr.
26
Lc. -Corp.,
Hastings, D., .
Do.
27
Private,
Hall, C, .
Do.
28
Hendrie, J.,
Prestwick.
29
Highett, R., .
Ayr.
30
Hislop, D.,
Do.
31
Hood, W.,
Ochiltree.
32
Lamont, J.,
St. Quivox.
33
Lam on t, J.,
Ayr.
34
Mair, J.,
Do.
35
Martin, J.,
Dalrymple.
36
MathewsoD, J.,
Ayr.
37
M'Master, J., .
Do.
38
M'Kerrow, W.,
Do.
39
M'Crirrick, H..
Do.
40
M'Hwraith, J.,
Do.
41
M'Hwraith, J.,
Coylton.
42
Milligan, I vie,
Ayr.
l From 2d Dragoons (Scots Greys), 1st June 1877.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
97
No.
43
Rank and Name.
Pariah.
Lc.-Corp.,
Murdoch, W.,
Stair.
44
Private,
Murdoch, W., .
Ayr.
45
»
Murdoch, C, .
Do.
46
»>
M'Clelland, J.,
Do.
47
»»
Neil, T
Do.
48
»»
O'Neil, H„ .
Do.
49
»»
Patterson, G., .
Do.
50
if
Patterson, A., .
Do.
51
it
Pollock, R., .
Dalrymple.
52
»»
Reide, J.,
St. Quivox.
53
»»
Robertson, A.,
Ayr.
54
»>
Speirs, J.,
Do.
55
»»
Sutherland, A.,
Do.
56
»»
Steele*, G.,
Do.
57
»»
Strathern, J., .
t
St. Quivox.
58
t*
Shearer, J.,
Do.
59
t*
Taylor, R.,
Ayr.
60
99
Tennant, J., .
Do.
61
99
Thicket, J., .
Do.
62
9*
Walker, J.,
Do. .
63
it
Watson, T., .
Do.
64
»»
White, H.,
Do.
65
»»
White, W., .
Do.
66
»»
Wright, R., .
St. Quivox.
67
»»
WyKe, J.,
Ayr.
9 8
History of the
Nominal Eoll of " C," or Captain W. S. Cooper's Troop.
1st July 1880.
No.
1
Rank and Name.
Pariah.
Captain,
Cooper, W. S.,
Failford, Tarbolton.
2
2d Lieut.,
Hamilton, J. C. C,
Sundrnm, Ayr.
3
Qr.-Mr.,
Murray, J.,
Old Cumnock.
4
T.-S.-M.,
1 Smith, W., .
Ayr.
5
Sergeant,
Brown, Q.,
Ochiltree.
6
»
Walsh, G.,
New Cumnock.
7
»»
Weir, J., .
Do.
8
Corporal,
Brown, R.,
Ochiltree.
9
ft
Miller, G.,
Do.
10
»
M 'Knight, D.,
Kirkmichael
11
Trumptr.,
Farquharoon, R.,
Ayr.
12
Private,
Alexander, H.,
Anchmleck.
13
»*
Alexander, J., .
Do.
14
>»
Bowden, E., .
Old Cumnock.
15
»»
Bryson, M.,
Mauchline.
16
>»
Brown, J.,
Ochiltree.
17
>»
Brown, Q. (1),.
Do.
18
ft
Brown, Q. (2), .
Do.
19
Lc.-Corp.,
Brown, W.,
Do.
20
Private,
Craig, J. (1), .
Old Cumnock.
21
tt
Craig, J. (2), .
New Cumnock.
22
tt
Cowan, J.,
Ochiltree.
23
tt
Craig, D„
Old Cumnock.
24
»»
Duncan, J.,
Ochiltree.
25
tt
Gemmel, J.,
Do.
26
tt
Haddow, W., .
Old Cumnock.
27
tt
Howat, A.,
Do.
28
tt
Howat, W.,
Ochiltree.
29
Lc.-Corp.,
Howat, H.,
Do.
30
Private,
Jamison, J., .
Auchinleck,
31
tt
Jameson, J., .
Do.
32
it
M'Kerrow, D.,
Do.
33
ft
M'Mann, T., .
Muirkirk.
34
tt
Montgomerie, J.,
Ochiltree.
35
tt
Mitchell, W., .
Do.
36
tt
Monkhouse, J.,
Ayr.
37
it
Murdoch, D., .
New Cumnock.
38
ft
Murdoch, J., .
Ochiltree.
39
it
Peden, J.,
Auchinleck.
40
ft
Peden, G.,
Lorn.
41
tt
Reide, J.,
Auchinleck.
i From 2d Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays), January 1860.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
99
No.
42
Bank and Name.
Parish.
Private,
Reide, D. M., .
Old Cumnock.
43
»
Robb, J.,
» •
Ochiltree.
44
»»
Sampson, W.,
•
Anchinleck.
45
t»
Steele, J.,
i •
New Cumnock.
46
Lc-Corp.,
Steele, W., ,
t •
Do.
47
Private,
Sloan, A.,
i *
New Cumnock.
48
»»
Sloan, J.,
• •
Ochiltree.
49
>»
Sloan, W.,
► •
Auchinleck.
50
»»
Shankland, J.,.
•
Old Cumnock.
51
H
Sloan, 6.,
•
Ochiltree.
52
»»
Sharp, H.,
•
New Cumnock.
53
*>
Wilson, J.,
•
Old Cumnock.
54
»>
Wilson, D.,
•
Ochiltree.
55
l»
Wallace, R., .
•
Do.
56
>»
Wallace, W.,
•
Do.
57
»»
Wardrop, J., .
■
Old Cumnock.
58
»>
Wallace, W., .
•
Ochiltree.
59
»»
Young, J.,
•
New Cumnock.
IOO
History of the
Nominal Eoll of " D " or Captain J. Somervell's Troop.
1st July 1880.
Nos.
1
Rank and Name.
Parish.
Captain,
Somervell, J., .
Sorn Castle, Mauchline,
2
Lieut.,
Campbell, L. G.,
\
Alyn Derwyn, Rossett,
near Wrexham.
3
Qr-Mr.,
Neil, R., .
Tarbolton.
4
T.-S.-M.,
l Giles, W.,
Mauchline.
5
Sergeants,
Drennan, J., .
Tarbolton.
6
>»
M'Kerrow, G.,
Sorn.
7
it
Gray, D.,
Tarbolton.
8
Corporals,
Morton, G.,
Sorn.
9
>»
Campbell, J., .
Tarbolton.
10
»
Sloan, J.,
Sorn.
11
»»
Allan, W.,
Mauchline.
12
»»
Andrews, J., .
Tarbolton.
13
»»
Baird, J.,
Sorn.
14
»»
Baird, J.,
Do.
15
j>
Bone, R.,
Do.
16
»>
Borland, T., .
Mauchline.
17
»»
Borland, F„ .
Do.
18
»»
Brownlie, J., .
Do.
19
>»
Brown, W.,
Tarbolton.
20
»»
Drennan, R., .
Do.
21
»»
Drummond, W.,
Do.
22
»»
Eaglesham, D.,
Craigie.
23
»
Gemmell, T., .
Mauchline.
24
»»
Gemmell, C, .
Do.
25
»>
Green, E. H., .
Ayr.
26
>>
Howie, J., .
Tarbolton.
27
»»
Hunter, G.,
Mauchline.
28
Lc.-Corp.,
Kerr, J., .
Sorn.
29
Private,
Mair, J., .
Mauchline.
30
»
Murdoch, M., .
Do.
31
»*
M'Dougal, R., .
Ayr.
32
»
M'Kay, J., .
Tarbolton.
33
»»
M'Lyniont, J.,
Do.
34
Lc.-Corp.,
Neil, R., .
Do.
35
Private,
Patton, A.,
Do.
36
»»
Ramsay, J.,
Do.
37
»
Reide, J.,
Stair.
38
>»
Sloan, C. A,, .
Sorn.
39
>»
Symington, J.,
Tarbolton.
40
»»
Symington, J.,
Do.
41
>»
Smith, A.,
Do.
42
>»
Watson, A.,
Stair.
43
>»
Watson, J.,
Sorn.
44
Lc.-Corp.,
Young, J.,
Tarbolton.
45
Private,
Young, R.,
Mauchline.
i From 18th Hussars, 1st May 1877.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
101
Nominal Roll of " E," or Captain R D. Murdoch's Troop.
1st July 1880.
No.
1
Rank and Name.
Parish.
Captain,
Murdoch, R. D.,
Fairfield Lodge, Ayr.
2
Lieut.,
White, G. C., .
•
Newark, Ayr.
3
Qr.-Mr.,
Hunter, W., .
•
Craigie.
4
T.-S.-M.,
1 Tucker, A.,
•
Kilmarnock.
5
Sergeant,
Gibson, J.,
•
Galston.
6
»»
M'Latchie, A.,
•
Craigie.
7
tt
Auld, D.,
•
Galston.
8
Corporal,
Taylor, J.,
•
Ayr.
9
*»
Young, J.,
•
Symington.
10
>»
Nairn, W.,
•
Craigie.
11
Private,
Andrews, J., .
•
Monkton.
12
if
Auld, W.,
•
Galston.
13
tt
Barclay, J.,
■
Do.
14
t*
Cameron, A., .
•
Do.
15
Lc.-Corp.,
Clark, W.,
•
Monkton.
16
Private,
Ferguson, J., .
•
Prestwick.
17
it
Findlay, F., .
•
•
New Milns.
18
tt
Glover, R.,
•
Craigie.
19
»»
Highet, H.,
•
Kilmarnock.
20
a
Hopkins, R., ,
•
Craigie.
21
a
Hopkins, W., ,
•
Do.
22
a
Howat, M.,
•
DarveL
23
a
Hunter, H.,
•
Prestwick.
24
it
King, P.,
•
Do.
25
»>
Lennox, W.,
•
Newmilns.
26
»»
Lochead, J.,
•
Darvel.
27
»>
Mason, A.,
•
Kilmarnock.
28
»»
Maxwell, R.,
•
Galston.
29
it
Meikle, R.,
•
Do.
30
11
M'Adam, F.,
» •
Kilmarnock.
31
it
M'Hallam, F.,
* •
Prestwick.
32
Lc.-Corp.,
Mitchell, W.,
t •
Galston.
33
Private,
Morton, J.,
■ •
Kilmarnock.
34
it
Neil, J., .
•
Galston.
35
it
Reide, J.,
• *
Ayr.
36
it
Shaw, C,
» ■
Do.
37
tt
Shields, R,
• •
Newmilns.
38
it
Sloan, W.,
• «
Monkton.
39
a
Smith, J.,
t •
Kilmarnock.
40
Lc.-Corp.,
Smith, W.,
• •
Galston.
41
Private,
Stevenson, J. (1),
• •
Monkton.
42
a
Stevenson, J. (2),
• •
Do.
43
a
Strathern, W.,
• •
Galston.
44
tt
Walker, D., .
• •
RicartoD.
45
a
Wilson, J.,
• •
Galston.
46
a
Young, R.,
a •
Monkton.
47
it
Young, S.,
Kilmarnock.
1 From 14th Hussars, 1st October 1878.
102
History of the
Nominal Roll of " F," or Captain W. P. Adam's Troop.
1st July 1880.
No.
1
Rank and Name.
Parish.
Captain,
Adams, W.P.,
Tour, Kilmaurs.
2
Lieut.,
Kerr, R.,
Cunninghamhead, Kilmaurs.
3
Qr.-Mr.,
Brown, A.,
Stewarton.
4
T.-S.-M.,
1 Murray, G., .
Kilmarnock.
5
Sergeant,
Muir, D.,
Dreghorn.
6
it
Smith, J.,
Loudoun.
7
*»
Wylie, J. f
Stewarton.
8
Corporal,
Arthur, J.,
Fen wick.
9
*»
Sneddon, J., .
Stewarton.
10
»»
Torrance, H., .
Loudoun.
11
Private,
Alexander, W.,
Stewarton.
12
La- Corp.,
Alexander, W.,
Fenwick.
13
Private,
Allan, J.,
Stewarton.
14
»»
Allison, A.,
Loudoun.
15
»»
Anderson, J., .
Stewarton.
16
»>
Barr, J., .
Kilmarnock.
17
>»
Black, J.,
Dreghorn.
18
»>
Baxter, F.,
Kilmaurs.
19
La- Corp.,
Clachan, J.,
Loudoun.
20
Private,
Clachan, T., .
Kilmaurs.
21
11
Cowan, B.,
Do.
22
ii
Cunningham, J.,
Beith.
23
a
Dickie, D.,
Stewarton.
24
a
Eaglesham, W.,
Do.
25
ii
Eaglesham, R.,
Do.
26
ii
Gibbie, W., .
Loudoun.
27
ii
Gilmour, W., .
Kilmaurs.
28
La- Corp.,
Gillies, J.,
Kilmarnock.
29
Private,
Hay, J., .
Kilmaurs.
30
ii
Kerr, R.,
Stewarton.
31
a
Laird, J.,
Kilmaurs.
32
ii
Lindsay, W., .
Loudoun.
33
ii
Mair, M.,
Dreghorn.
34
ii
Melrose, J.,
Kilmarnock.
35
a
Millar, J.,
Galston.
36
ii
Montgomerie, J.,
Stewarton.
37
a
Morton, Alex.,
Loudoun.
38
it
Murdoch, J., .
Kilmaurs.
39
La- Corp.,
Nisbett, J.,
Loudoun.
40
Private,
Kisbett, W., .
Do.
41
»»
Picken, J.,
Fenwick.
42
ii
Templeton, W.,
Do.
43
ii
Smith, A.,
Kilmaurs.
44
ii
Torrance, M., .
Loudoun.
i From 15th Hussars, 1st April 1808.
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
103
Nominal Roll of « 6," or Captain E. M. Pollok's Troop.
1st July 1880.
No.
1
Bank and Name.
Parish.
Captain,
Pollok, R. M., .
Middleton, Ayr.
2
Lieut.,
Finnic, A.,
Springhill, Kilmarnock.
3
Qr.-Mr.,
Crawford, J., .
Ardrossan.
4
T.-S.-M.,
iMKJibney, F.,
Irvine.
5
Sergeant,
Reide, J.,
Kilwinning.
6
it
Speir, J., .
Ardrossan.
7
»»
Anderson, D., .
Kilwinning.
8
Corporal,
Borland, R.,
Do.
9
»>
Henderson, J.,
Ardrossan,
10
n
M'Laughlan, R.,
Do.
11
Lc.-Corp.,
Barbour, T., .
Dundonald.
12
Private,
Bicket, W., .
Kilwinning.
13
tt
Brown, W.,
Ardrossan.
14
t*
Bryson, J.,
Kilwinning.
15
»t
Calderwood, J.,
Dundonald.
16
tt
Caldwell, J., .
Do.
17
tt
Campbell, J., .
Kilwinning.
18
a
Cochrane, J., .
Dundonald.
19
»
Custans, W., .
Ayr.
20
tt
Dickie, D.,
Irvine.
21
Lc.-Corp.,
Dunlop, R.,
Do.
22
Private,
Dunlop, J.,
Do.
23
»
Dunlop, T.,
Kilwinning.
24
a
Hamilton, P., .
Irvine.
25
>»
Hogerth, J.,
Ardrossan.
26
»>
Howat, W.,
Dundonald.
27
>»
Johnston, A., .
Irving.
28
tt
Logan, W.,
West Kilbride.
29
>»
Marshall, J., .
Dundonald.
30
tt
M'Conochie, J.,
Kilwinning.
31
tt
M'Kinnon, A.,
Ardrossan.
32
»»
Robertson, A.,
Irvine.
33
tt
Smith, W., .
Dairy.
34
tt
Wales, W.,
Irvine.
35
tt
Wilson, J.,
Do.
36
it
Wilson, R.,
Kilwinning.
37
»»
Wylie, J.,
Dundonald.
38
tt
Wright, J., .
Troon.
39
it
Young, A.,
Kilwinning.
1 From 6th Dragoons (Inniskillings), 1st May 1879.
104 History of the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cavalry.
Nominal Roll of " H," or Captain W. B. Patrick's Troop.
1st July 1880.
No.
1
Rank and Name.
Pariah.
Captain,
Patrick, W. R.,
Trearne, Beith.
2
Lieut.,
Russell, W. D.,
MauLside, Dairy.
3
Qr.-Mr.,
Meikle, J.,
Beith.
4
T.-S.-M.,
1 Welch, J., ,
Do.
5
Sergeant,
Stevenson, J.,
Dunlop.
6
»»
Craig, J.,
Beith.
7
»
Gilmour, J.,
Do.
8
Corporal,
Kerr, W.,
Do.
9
»
Parker, H.,
Do.
10
»»
Crawford, G.,
Dairy.
11
Private,
Authur, R.,
Do.
12
»t
Allan, J.,
Do.
13
»>
Biggart, J.,
Beith.
14
»»
Duncan, R.,
Dunlop.
15
>»
Dunlop, J.,
Dairy.
16
»
Dickie, J.,
Beith.
17
»»
Ferguson, J.,
Dunlop.
18
»»
Fulton, R.,
Beith.
19
»>
Gilmour, A.,
Dunlop.
20
»
Gilmour, J.,
Do.
21
»»
Hamilton, J.,
Beith.
22
»»
Jack, W.,
Do.
23
»
Kerr, D.,
Kilbirnie.
24
»>
Kerr, H.,
Do.
25
»»
Kerr, J.,
Dunlop.
26
tt
Kerr, J.,
Dairy.
27
>»
KeiT, J.,
Beith.
28
»
King, A.,
Dunlop.
29
»»
Lamont, J.,
Beith.
30
»
Meikle, H.,
Do.
31
»»
Millar, R.,
Dunlop.
32
Lc.-Corp.,
Parker, H.,
Beith.
33
Private,
Parker, H.,
Do.
34
»»
Sheddon, R.,
Kilbirnie.
35
Lc-Corp.,
Smith, W.,
Dairy.
36
Private,
Smith, A.,
Do.
37
»
Smith, R.,
Dunlop.
38
»
Stevenson, R.,
Beith.
39
»
Stewart, T.,
Do.
40
»»
Stewart, R., .
Dairy.
41
»>
Thomson, W.,
Beith.
42
*»
Walker, H.,
Do.
43
n
Wattison, A.,
Do.
44
>»
Wilson, H.,
Dairy.
45
»>
Wilson, J.,
Beith.
i From 2d Dragoons (Scots Greys), 1st May 1879.
INDEX,
Assessment, voluntary, in aid of Yeomanry funds, 31.
Bell, Corporal John, killed on the race-course, 57.
Bell, Sheriff, letter from, 15.
Boswell, Sir Alexander, lines on the funeral of, 29.
Charger, address to an old, 44.
Christison, Sheriff, letters from, 59, 60.
Clegs, their description, 18.
Cowan, Provost, letters from, 10, 15.
Eglinton, Earl of, letters from, 9, 14.
Eglinton, Earl of, match run by, 58.
Executions, Yeomanry present at, 41.
Gibson, Private, gallant conduct of, 41.
Glasgow, Earl of, letters from, 28, 37.
Groldie, John, poetical offer of his services, 33.
Grey, Sir George, letter from, 56.
Melbourne, Lord, letter from, 41.
Moira, Earl of (Marquis of Hastings), 6, 7, 35, 36, 57.
Peel, Robert, Home Secretary, letter from, 35.
Race, extraordinary, 57.
" Radical Bodies, gae Hame," 23.
Reconnaissance, 63.
Sidmouth, Lord, letters from, 23, 27.
Troops, re-arrangement of, in 1862, 61.
H
106 Index.
Wallace, Sergeant Thomas, stabbed with a cleg, 18.
Watt, Andrew, shows the way, 18.
Yeomanry quartered at Hamilton in 1804, 4, 5.
„ reviewed by the Earl of Moira in 1805, 6, 7.
„ at Sir Alexander BoswelTs funeral in 1822, 29.
„ volunteered to serve in Edinburgh in 1822, 35.
„ presentation of standards to, in 1829, 39.
„ false charges made against, in 1838, 46.
„ presentation of a royal standard to, in 1845, 54.
„ volunteered to serve in any part of the United Kingdom
in 1848, 56.
„ at Melrose in 1874, 71.
„ at Wimbledon in 1879, 71.
„ at Wimbledon in 1880, 72.
„ called out in aid of the civil power : —
„ „ at Ayr in 1816, 9.
„ „ at Ayr in 1819, 15.
„ „ at Glasgow and Paisley in 1820, 16.
„ . „ at Stewarton and Mauchline in 1820, 20.
„ „ at Girvan in 1831, 40.
„ „ at Ayr in 1831 and 1832, 41.
„ „ at Ayr in 1834, 42.
„ „ at Catrine in 1834, 44.
„ „ at Kilwinning in 1837, 46.
„ at Irvine and Kilmarnock in 1842, 50.
„ at Ayr for thirty-three days in 1842, 50.
„ at Ayr, Kilmarnock, and Beith, in 1848, 56.
„ in North Ayrshire for seven weeks in 1856, 59.
„ 2d Ayrshire, 10, 11, 17, 18, 21, 31, 35-38, 52.
99
io7
While these sheets were passing through the press, intimation
has been received that the Ayrshire Yeomanry are to be exempted
from the general order for the gradual discontinuance of gold lace ;
the regiment will therefore have the satisfaction of retaining the
lace which they have worn for upwards of sixty years. Satisfaction
will also be caused by the regulation, which is to take effect from
1st July 1881, whereby a step of honorary rank, tenable while
serving or on retirement, will be granted to Field Officers and
Captains of Yeomanry after service of twenty-five and twenty years
respectively.
PRINTED BY T. AND A. CONSTABLE, PRINTERS TO HER MAJESTY,
AT THE EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY PRESS.
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